President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović and President of the European Council António Costa have sent a joint invitation letter to the leaders of the European Union member states and the Western Balkans countries to participate in the EU – Western Balkans Summit, which will be held on June 5 in Tivat, in the Bay of Kotor.
This will be the first summit of this kind hosted in Montenegro, giving the country the role of host to one of the most important political and strategic gatherings between the European Union and the Western Balkans region. According to the Office of the President, hosting the Summit confirms Montenegro’s position as a credible partner and an active participant in the European integration process.
The central theme of the Summit will be “Shared Prosperity and Stability of the European Union and the Western Balkans,” with discussions focusing on EU enlargement policy, regional stability, and the further integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union.
The official Summit programme will begin on June 5 and will include a plenary session and a working lunch for leaders. The plenary session will focus on the progress of the Western Balkans’ integration into the European Union, the Growth Plan, as well as strengthening regional connectivity and resilience. During the working lunch, leaders will discuss enlargement policy, key challenges and opportunities, and further alignment of the region with European policies and standards.
As part of the celebration marking 20 years since the restoration of Montenegro’s independence, a ceremonial dinner for Summit participants is scheduled for June 4.
The Office of the President stated that the Summit in Tivat represents a strong political message of unity and a shared European future, as well as an additional boost to the European integration of the Western Balkans at a time when enlargement policy has once again become a high priority on the European Union’s agenda.
