High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell hosted an informal dinner with the political leaders of the Western Balkans in Brussels on Wednesday. These informal dinners take place twice a year and serve as an opportunity to exchange views about the challenges in the region and about the region’s European future.

The focus of Wednesday’s discussions was the global and regional impact of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war against Ukraine and its people, and how the EU and Western Balkans partners can together address the damaging consequences of this war on food and energy prices and on regional and global stability.

High Representative Borrell welcomed the full support of Western Balkan partners at the UN General Assembly for the resolutions in relation to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The High Representative informed on the EU’s response in support of Ukraine, including EU restrictive measures aimed at limiting the Kremlin’s ability to finance the war. He reiterated the importance of Common Foreign and Security Policy alignment as a central element of the European path.

Leaders confirmed their strategic commitment to the EU integration and their support for regional cooperation.

The ongoing engagement of the EU with the Western Balkans will continue on Monday at the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council, when EU Foreign Minister will have a full discussion point on the situation in the region. They will also hold an informal exchange of views with the Western Balkans Foreign Ministers. 

Wednesday’s informal dinner, the third of its kind hosted by the High Representative, was attended by President Aleksandar Vučić, President Milo Djukanović, Prime Minister Edi Rama, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski, Member of the tripartite Presidency Milorad Dodik,  Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz. Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Várhelyi also participated.

Watch/read the doorstep by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival ahead of the event here.