Balgarianovinite.com Preserving the merit-based approach to EU enlargement, accelerating the integration of the Western Balkans and strengthening regional security were among the key topics discussed at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, attended by Prime Minister Rumen Radev on Friday.
The summit, held under the theme “Shared Prosperity and Stability of the European Union and the Western Balkans”, brought together leaders of the EU and the Western Balkan countries. Discussions focused on EU enlargement, implementation of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, and strengthening resilience against cyber threats, hybrid attacks and disinformation.
Ahead of the meeting, Radev said Bulgaria opposed compromising the principle that EU accession should be based on merit. He stressed that progress towards membership requires reforms in justice, the rule of law, human rights and good-neighbourly relations.
The Prime Minister said Bulgaria could support countries in the region by sharing its experience and helping strengthen their institutions. He welcomed Montenegro’s progress towards EU membership and praised Albania’s efforts on its European path.
Radev said Bulgaria remains a strong supporter of the enlargement process, describing it as an investment in security and in expanding the area of stability and prosperity in Europe. He argued that geopolitical challenges should not lead to a relaxation of the Copenhagen membership criteria.
Commenting on the war in Ukraine, Radev said greater efforts should be directed towards diplomacy, describing it as the most effective tool for resolving the conflict. He argued that military and economic measures alone could not deliver a solution and warned of increasing security risks.
On the sidelines of the summit, Radev exchanged remarks with regional and European leaders, including North Macedonia Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and French President Emmanuel Macron. He was also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
Following the plenary session, participating leaders posed for a family photo and attended a working lunch hosted by Montenegro President Jakov Milatovic and European Council President Antonio Costa.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reaffirmed that EU accession remained Serbia’s strategic goal. He said Serbia would continue implementing reforms and expressed confidence that the Western Balkan countries could make further progress towards membership.
North Macedonia Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the forum. According to Mickoski, the discussions focused on the region, North Macedonia’s European prospects and opportunities to strengthen cooperation with European partners.
The forum was chaired by European Council President Antonio Costa and hosted by Montenegro President Jakov Milatovic. Annual EU-Western Balkans summits have been held since 2018, with the previous meeting taking place in Brussels in December 2025. EU-Western Balkans Summit Focuses on Enlargement and Security 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-06-05 17:53:00 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law