European Council President Charles Michel has convened for February 16 an informal meeting with Western Balkan countries' leaders which will also be attended by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic as the premier of the country presiding over the Council of the European Union.

The meeting will also be attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

The meeting has been convened as part of preparations for an informal summit of all EU member states and Western Balkan states due in Zagreb in May.

On Wednesday, the Commission proposed a new, stricter methodology for EU accession negotiations, which was France's condition for opening them with North Macedonia and Albania.