At the summit in Bulgaria, Europeans will try to breathe new life into relations with the Western Balkans, which could remain in the background compared to the discussion of the diplomatic challenges that US President Donald Trump has with the EU.
The meeting of European leaders with the leaders of six countries - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Kosovo - aims to "establish close ties" with the region where Russia is trying to expand its influence, according to France Press.
However, the 28 EU members are scheduled to first discuss a response to US decisions to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and not to grant the EU a permanent exemption from tariffs on imported steel and aluminum in Sofia on Wednesday evening.
The issue of Kosovo is "especially complex for the EU", according to France Presse, adding that the Union is "concerned about the constant delays in the normalization of relations between Serbia and its former province".
In the draft conclusions of the summit, which AFP had access to, the member states reiterate their "unequivocal support for the European perspective" of the Balkan countries, but carefully avoid the use of the words "accession" or "enlargement".
The text emphasizes the need to improve "connectivity" through investments in transport infrastructure, exchange in the fields of education and culture, as well as strengthening ties in the face of "common challenges" such as security and migration.
The conclusions do not mention the issue of Russian influence in the Balkans, but state the readiness to cooperate with the Balkan countries "in the fight against disinformation and other hybrid activities."
In the last few years, Russia has increased its media presence in the Balkan region, but its influence has not been concreted on the political or economic level.
Pro-Russian candidates failed to win power in Montenegro, which joined NATO last year despite Moscow's opposition. In Macedonia, a nationalist candidate backed by Moscow lost to a pro-Western candidate in the election.
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