Antonio Costa, the newly appointed President of the European Council, will host a special meeting with Prime Minister Edi Rama and the leaders of five other Western Balkan countries in Brussels on December 3. The meeting is seen as a critical step in Costa’s push to strengthen EU-Balkan relations, as the region remains central to his priorities during his presidency.
Costa, who takes office officially on December 1, will use this meeting to personally connect with regional leaders, ahead of the highly anticipated EU-Western Balkans summit on December 18. This summit, focused on accelerating the region’s integration into the European Union, is expected to be a key moment in shaping future relations.
Diplomatic sources indicate that Costa plans to make the Western Balkans a priority during his tenure, focusing on regular dialogue with the region’s leaders to reinforce the EU’s support for its integration efforts. Additionally, it is speculated that Kaja Kallas, the incoming High Representative for the EU, and Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement, may join the discussions.
Costa succeeds Charles Michel as President of the European Council. His meeting with the Western Balkans leaders on December 3 marks the beginning of his agenda for a more active role in the region.
