The leaders from the 27 EU member states convened in Belgium for the EU Balkan Summit, from where the Brussels Declaration 2024 emerged. The summit was led by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa.
The summit was held within the framework of the European Council strategic agenda for 2024-2029. It opens up fresh avenues for enhancement and reaffirmation of partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans. The said declaration proposes to ratify agreements worth €6 billion growth plan, covering regional common markets as well as higher education accessibility.
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Leaders in the Western Balkans are still working on improving the transport sector as part of the forthcoming transport community treaty, implementing an automated green agenda under the Paris Agreement, and also building a single digital market in digital transformation and media. Security and defense partnerships and collaboration in migration management have also been welcomed in the declaration.
The declaration further included an agreement on 68 flagship investment projects for a total of €17 billion under the economic and investment plan (EIP). The summit underscored the regional challenges and strongly condemned Russian aggression in the region. It ended with the announcement of the first European Political Community Summit in Tirana next year.
European Council President Antonio Costa called the growth plan a “game changer” in a press briefing, calling on the momentum for regional credibility and integrity. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen commented on this renewed process of enlargement, including new accession and integration into the single market.