Croatian PM discusses EU membership for Western Balkans amid rising tensions

On December 10, 2024, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and President of the European Council Antonio Costa held a phone conversation regarding the advancement of Western Balkan countries in their pursuit of European Union membership. This discussion took place ahead of the upcoming EU-Western Balkans summit scheduled for December 18, 2024, in Brussels. Plenković highlighted Croatia's stance on the negotiation process for EU membership among these nations during the conversation. The meeting between the two leaders also encompassed significant global issues, particularly the ongoing situation in Ukraine and developments in the Middle East. Plenković expressed the importance of sustained support for Ukraine amidst its challenges, indicating that the EU's collective stance on foreign policy matters is as critical as its internal negotiations with the Western Balkans. The conversation is set in a broader context where the newly-appointed European Council President, who took office on December 1, 2024, has already engaged with leaders from the Western Balkans region, affirming that these countries hold a future within the EU. This reinforces the EU's commitment to the integration of the Western Balkans into the union, underscoring the strategic importance of these nations in European stability and cooperation. The upcoming summit in Brussels will provide a platform for further discussions and potential decisions regarding the path forward for these countries, particularly as they navigate their respective reforms and alignments with EU standards. The dialogue between Costa and Plenković serves as an acknowledgment of the significant progress and ongoing challenges faced by the Western Balkans on their EU journey.