Western Balkans Leaders Discuss Migration, Security, EU Integration in London Summit

Leaders from six Western Balkan countries met in London with British and European officials to discuss migration, security, and economic growth, amid the region's strategic importance due to Russian influence, ethnic divisions, and migration pressures. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized shutting down migrant routes through the Balkans and proposed 'return hubs' for deported asylum seekers, though some Balkan leaders expressed skepticism about these plans without significant investment. Italy, represented by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, strongly supports accelerating the Western Balkans' EU accession, viewing their integration as a political and strategic priority tied to broader connectivity plans. At a separate EU meeting, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, and other member states, alongside the European Commission, committed to coordinated efforts on migration management, including speeding up negotiations on Returns Regulation and safe country lists. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted migration as part of the solution to Europe's demographic challenges, warning against framing migration solely as a problem and criticizing divisive rhetoric, while urging Europe to adapt to a changing global landscape. These discussions reflect ongoing tensions and cooperation in managing migration flows, regional stability, and EU enlargement ambitions in the Western Balkans.