Brdo-Brijuni Leaders' Summit underlines the need for EU enlargement and regional stability

In her opening remarks, President Pirc Musar stressed the importance of the enlargement process both for the region and for Europe as a whole: "The gradual enlargement of the European Union is not just a topic of our meetings, it is the topic of the decade. Progress towards EU membership is slowing, while the challenges facing an incomplete European Union continue to grow. This is a cause for serious concern. European integration is the way to a united Europe, a Europe united in its diversity."

In addition to EU enlargement, the leaders of the Brdo-Brijuni Process also discussed the issue of brain drain, in particular the emigration of young people from the region. President Pirc Musar drew attention to the long-term consequences of this trend: "We cannot turn a blind eye to the issue of young people leaving the region. Failure to address this issue will affect the region's readiness for the future – in every aspect of life," she said.

The final major topic of the meeting was the fight against climate change, where the assembled leaders discussed the need for closer cooperation and stronger action under the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. President Pirc Musar emphasised: "Climate change and environmental protection are not merely items on the agenda. They are issues of our survival. Together, we must step up our efforts to develop robust policies to combat and mitigate the effects of climate change".

This year, the leaders attending the summit adopted a joint document reaffirming the importance of good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation as key conditions for stability and progress in the region. In the document, they committed themselves to further reforms, to strengthening the strategic dialogue with the European Union and to implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

The meeting reaffirmed that the Brdo-Brijuni Process remains an important platform for dialogue and understanding in South East Europe, fostering regional development and European integration. During the summit, President Pirc Musar also held bilateral meetings with the President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, and the President of Albania, Bajram Begai.