EU leaders are set to gather in Tivat, Montenegro, to send a message to Western Balkan countries that their membership perspective remains a priority despite internal divisions within the bloc.

A delegation of Western Balkan countries, led by Montenegro, visited the French cyber center Campus Cyber to discuss potential joint initiatives in cyber security.

It is suggested that Montenegro's entry into the European Union might close the door to full membership for others indefinitely, potentially leading to hybrid solutions like a 'Light Schengen' for other Western Balkan countries.

A new US State Department report on six Western Balkan countries suggests a shift towards pragmatic passivity in politics and activation in economics, particularly energy, according to foreign policy analyst Boško Jakšić.

Peter Mađar, a new Hungarian official, has stated that the European Union should prioritize admitting Western Balkan countries into its membership before Ukraine, to maintain credibility in the region.

Five EU member states have proposed a new non-paper suggesting 'intermediate steps' towards full membership for Western Balkan countries, aiming to integrate them in phases rather than a single final reward.

The President of Montenegro received students from Harvard and MIT as part of their program visiting Western Balkan countries.

The World Bank has reduced its economic growth projections for 2026 for the Western Balkan countries, including Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, citing global uncertainty, rising energy prices, and internal factors like stagnant reforms.

The "Delphi Declaration" was signed on Wednesday during the 11th Delphi Forum between Greece and six Western Balkan countries, marking a significant joint initiative 23 years after the Thessaloniki Declaration.

Janevska emphasized that small Western Balkan countries can unlock significant academic potential through cooperation, which is crucial for addressing demographic challenges, skill shortages, and the emigration of talent.

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas announced that Western Balkan countries have agreed with the EU's decision to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

António Costa, head of the European Council, stated that EU enlargement remains a priority, with Moldova, Ukraine, and Western Balkan countries part of the process, urging preparation for the next expansion.

A new survey by the Open Society Foundation - Western Balkans reveals that most Generation Z members in the Western Balkan countries support EU membership, but not at any cost. Serbia has the lowest percentage of young people who believe it is worth it.

Bosnian official Forto expresses disappointment over the lack of political will in the EU regarding the implications of the Entry/Exit System (EES) for professional drivers from Western Balkan countries.

Slovenia is providing knowledge and expertise to support the development of countries in the Western Balkans.

Germany and France have prepared a new non-paper suggesting greater involvement of Western Balkan countries and Moldova in daily EU work as they advance domestic reforms. This proposal is for the EU-Western Balkans summit.

A delegation from Western Balkan countries, led by Montenegro, visited the Campus Cyber center in Paris to focus on partnership and knowledge exchange, aiming to build a resilient and secure digital ecosystem.

European Council President Antonio Costa will undertake a diplomatic tour of six Western Balkan countries, including a visit to Tirana on June 2, in preparation for the EU-Western Balkans Summit.

Macedonia and other Western Balkan countries are progressing towards the abolition of roaming charges with the EU, a process contingent on aligning their telecommunications rules with European legislation.

Emigration flows are becoming a major obstacle to long-term economic growth in the six Western Balkan countries, with Albania having the highest number of departures, according to a World Bank report.

EU Foreign Ministers politically supported deeper cooperation with Western Balkan countries on external security and defense issues, urging them to harmonize with shared European values.

A discussion in Slovenia questioned the EU's commitment to enlargement, with arguments that Western Balkan countries are better prepared for membership than some previous accession waves.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos to discuss the accession of Western Balkan countries to the EU, with Mitsotakis emphasizing Greece's strong support for the process.

ALTAX, a research and analytical center for fiscal and economic issues in Albania and the region, has published its 14th report on the Tax Burden 2025 and Fiscal Freedom Day 2026 for Western Balkan countries, emphasizing the need for a fairer redistribution of the tax burden in Albania.

Western European countries are reportedly planning to establish migrant camps in the Western Balkans to house rejected asylum seekers, putting pressure on regional states to act as reliable European partners.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's proposal to accelerate the European integration of Western Balkan countries has been described as another diplomatic failure for Vučić.

Following a debate in the European Parliament on the progress of Western Balkan countries, Czech MEP Ondřej Kolar, rapporteur for BiH, stated that 'false nationalism and political alibi' are hindering Bosnia and Herzegovina's future.

At a forum on regional cooperation in the rule of law, British Ambassador Don Meken emphasized that the rule of law is crucial for national security, bringing together chief special prosecutors and high representatives from Western Balkan countries.

Citizens in Western Balkan countries have been enjoying lower roaming tariffs since July 2021, thanks to the Regional Roaming Agreement, with an article asking how much they will save.

Macedonian politician Antonio Milošoski and Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil discussed the mutually beneficial cooperation between the Visegrad Group and Western Balkan countries, as well as bilateral relations and European integration.

The European Commission has proposed initiating negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and other Western Balkan countries to include them in the EU's 'Roam Like at Home' regime.

An event held at the Luxembourg Palace in Paris gathered representatives from the Western Balkan countries, French partners, and the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) to deepen dialogue on cyber resilience in the region. The discussion aimed to treat the Balkans as a matter of strategic foresight.

Several EU member states, notably Austria and Greece, are reportedly slowing down Ukraine's accession process, insisting that Western Balkan countries should not be overlooked in the Union's enlargement.

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić called on the European Union to make a "brave decision" and admit the Western Balkan countries into its membership. She made this appeal during her address at the Globsec forum.

Austria, along with Czechia, Italy, Slovakia, and Slovenia, is advocating for a gradual accession process for Western Balkan countries into the EU, proposing access to specific areas of the single market upon completion of negotiation chapters.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos attended a meeting of the 'Friends of the Western Balkans' group, advocating for practical ways to accelerate the EU enlargement process for Western Balkan countries.

Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković urged leaders of Western Balkan countries to adopt a clearer pro-European rhetoric and advocated for a stronger commitment to EU enlargement.

An environmental group advocates for North Macedonia and other Western Balkan countries to prioritize renewable energy sources and avoid dependence on imported fossil fuels.

European integration expert Gledis Gjipali stated that Albania risks losing funds from the Growth Plan for Western Balkan countries if it fails to meet reform deadlines for EU integration.

As Western Balkan countries strengthen coordination among themselves and with NATO and the EU, this process is paradoxically fueling the spread of disinformation narratives, despite Serbia's perception of security threats from several members.

Western European countries are reportedly planning to establish migrant reception centers in the Western Balkans for rejected asylum seekers, putting pressure on regional states to cooperate.

The European Union has yet to find a concrete solution for the challenges faced by truck drivers from non-EU Western Balkan countries.

A CDU Member of Parliament, Prajzendanc, has proposed a gradual entry system for Western Balkan countries into the EU, arguing that the current 'all or nothing' approach for new member admissions is no longer effective.

Dušan Nikolić, a board member of the International Transport Association, announced that representatives of international transport companies from Serbia and other Western Balkan countries have decided to hold another protest, with a date being coordinated.

A second working group meeting organized by the European Commission failed to reach an agreement on the consequences of the EES system's implementation for professional drivers from Western Balkan countries.

Slovenia is actively supporting the development of Western Balkan countries by sharing its knowledge and expertise.

The European Union is pushing for the implementation of free roaming services for countries in the Western Balkans.