EU-Western Balkans Summit Preparations: Tivat, Montenegro Hosts June 5 Summit for First Time

Final preparations are underway for the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro on June 5, 2026 — the first time Montenegro has hosted this annual diplomatic gathering, coinciding with the country's 20th anniversary of independence. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will attend alongside Western Balkans leaders. The summit agenda focuses on enlargement progress, particularly Montenegro's target of closing all negotiating chapters by end-2026 ahead of 2028 membership, the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans (€6 billion package), and status updates on Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia, and Kosovo. The Macron-Spajić meeting on May 27 was part of a wider diplomatic sprint in the week before the summit to consolidate political commitments. A ceremonial dinner on June 4 will mark Montenegro's independence anniversary with EU leaders.