The United Kingdom will host leaders from the six Western Balkans countries, alongside other European leaders, later this year for a key international summit aimed at promoting regional stability, security, and economic cooperation.

A major focus of the summit will be tackling irregular migration, with discussions on how to prevent the region from being used as a transit route. The UK government has emphasized its commitment to utilizing all available tools to strengthen border control and curb illegal migration.

The summit, which the UK is hosting in partnership with Germany, highlights the government's renewed commitment to fostering stronger ties with Europe. It also forms part of a broader strategy to establish lasting partnerships to crack down on criminal networks facilitating irregular migration.

With three NATO allies present in the Western Balkans, the region holds strategic significance for both UK and European security. However, increasing instability, fueled in part by malign Russian influence, has heightened tensions. The region has also become a primary route for organized crime groups involved in human trafficking and irregular migration across Europe.

In conjunction with the summit, the UK has appointed Dame Karen Pierce DCMG as the new Special Envoy to the Western Balkans. Her mandate includes advancing the UK's strategic goals in the region and overseeing preparations for the summit. Dame Karen, one of the UK’s most seasoned diplomats, previously served as British Ambassador to the United States and as the UK's Permanent Representative to the UN—being the first woman to hold both roles. She will assume her new post in the spring, succeeding Air Chief Marshal The Lord Peach KG GBE KCB DL.

UK Officials on the Importance of the Western Balkans Summit

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the importance of the Western Balkans to UK security and migration policies:

“The Western Balkans has long been a priority for the UK, and our partnerships in the region are central to our efforts to tackle irregular migration and combat the illegal trade in human lives. Hosting the Berlin Process in the UK demonstrates our commitment to European security and to delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.

With her experience and expertise, Dame Karen Pierce is the ideal person to drive this important work forward. I would like to thank Lord Peach for his personal dedication and service in advancing UK interests in the Western Balkans over the past three years.”

Minister for Border Security and Asylum Angela Eagle highlighted the need for international cooperation in managing migration challenges:

“Cooperation is key if we want to stop people from making dangerous journeys to the UK. That is why, through the Border Security Command, we are strengthening relationships across Europe and beyond to address the shared challenge of irregular migration and secure our borders.

This government has already secured new agreements to enhance operational collaboration on organized immigration crime with North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo. Our international efforts, coupled with stronger immigration enforcement within the UK, will ensure we dismantle the business model of people-smuggling gangs at every level.”

The UK government views the upcoming summit as a crucial step in addressing regional security challenges, reinforcing European partnerships, and implementing new measures to tackle migration-related crime.