The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, starts his Western Balkans’ trip on Tuesday during which he will visit Tirana, Podgorica, Belgrade, Pristina, Sarajevo and Skopje, as a part of the preparation for the forthcoming EU - WB Summit in Sofia on May 17.

His tour comes days after the EU Foreign and Security policy chief Federica Mogherini visited the region also for the Summit's groundwork. Mogherini in the Balkans ahead of EU summit

The issues Tusk is supposed to discuss with the leaders of the Western Balkans include the already existing links with the EU and inside the region, as well as the bilateral relation with the block.

The European Council President will tell the regional leaders that “the EU is and will remain the most reliable partner” of the Western Balkans’ countries and that the meeting in Sofia will confirm “the regional European perspective,” a statement from Brussels says

Sources close to Tusk said he would point out “already tangible data related to the EU – Western Balkans linkage.” That includes the facts that the EU is the biggest investor, benefactor and the largest market for the Western Balkans, and “the best warranty and a promise for a better future for the citizens in that region.”