EU-Western Balkans summit: Focus on succession and regional integration

The European Union – Western Balkans Summit, held Friday in Tivat, featured high-level addresses from Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The leaders centred their discussions on the European integration of regional states, Montenegro’s accession negotiations, the position of Serbia, and the future of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Regarding the OHR, Prime Minister Plenkovic confirmed that Christian Schmidt will eventually have a successor, though the identity of the next High Representative remains undetermined. Plenkovic noted that while initial discussions have concluded without a final agreement, several options are currently under consideration, including candidates from Italy, France, or the United States. He emphasized that the Bonn powers should not be used excessively to avoid creating institutional imbalances. Furthermore, Plenkovic suggested that the long-term duration of the OHR itself has become an open question.

On bilateral relations, Plenkovic highlighted his meeting with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic. Although Montenegro has made significant progress in its negotiation chapters, Croatia has established clear criteria for further advancement. These requirements include the compensation of camp detainees, the resolution of property issues for Croatian families, the return of the school ship Jadran, and the settlement of border disputes. Plenkovic indicated that if the necessary political will is demonstrated, these negotiations could conclude by 2026.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reaffirmed Spain's strong support for the enlargement process, stating that the European Union is incomplete without the Western Balkans. Addressing questions regarding the rule of law and media freedom in Serbia, Sanchez emphasized that internal reforms are essential. He noted that these standards are fundamental to European treaties and must be fulfilled by the authorities in Belgrade as part of their path toward integration.