EditEU’s Costa urges Western Balkan reconciliation at Bled Strategic Forum
Tensions resurfaced at the conference between Belgrade and Zagreb, following comments by Croatian PM Andrej Plenković
At the 20th Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia on 1 September, European Council President António Costa emphasised that Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the European Union must transcend historical conflicts to forge a shared future. However, the conference was also the scene of tensions, rooted in recent history.
At the forum, political leaders, diplomats and international experts discussed the future of the EU and the role of countries in this process. Costa, who is on a tour across several EU countries, highlighted the EU’s commitment to enlargement, describing the accession of the Western Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine as a priority rather than a mere promise.
“The European Union is not a closed club. We are a community of values and a project of peace and prosperity – and that project is not yet complete,” Costa said. “These countries are at the heart of Europe and are part of Europe’s future.”
EU’s growth plan: a catalyst for reform
Costa underscored the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans as a pivotal initiative, offering financial support and incentives to drive reforms, regional cooperation, and economic integration.
He urged regional leaders to seize this momentum, emphasising that EU accession hinges not just on geography but on shared values – democracy, human rights, freedom, and the rule of law.
The European Commission reached on 4 April 2024 a political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on a €6-billion Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans. This initiative offers Western Balkan partners access to certain EU membership benefits prior to full accession. The Facility will provide enhanced financial support in exchange for ambitious socio-economic and fundamental reforms outlined in Reform Agendas crafted by Western Balkan countries.
“Enlargement will not be easy, but it will be worth it,” Costa stated. “It is the best investment we can make to reconcile nations and histories, building a more united continent.”
The challenge, he noted, lies not only in meeting technical requirements or negotiating accession chapters but in adopting a cultural shift to overcome historical animosities. This shift is critical for fostering unity and ensuring long-term stability in the region.
Marta Kos: no shortcuts to EU membership
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stressed that candidate countries must demonstrate tangible progress in reforms. Speaking at the forum, she emphasised the non-negotiable nature of rule of law, human rights, anti-corruption measures, and media freedom.
“There is no shortcut to the EU. Candidates must show results,” Kos declared.
Kos praised Albania’s rapid progress, noting that in the past 10 months, the country has opened and closed more negotiation chapters than in the previous decade.
She highlighted Montenegro’s advancements, suggesting that if negotiations conclude by 2026, the EU could expand to 28 members by 2028, and potentially 29 by 2029 if progress continues. The last country to join the EU was Croatia, in 2013.
Regional tensions surface: Serbia-Croatia rift
The forum also spotlighted ongoing regional tensions, particularly between Serbia and Croatia. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković expressed skepticism about EU enlargement by 2030, citing challenges in North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, which he controversially described as “on the brink of civil war.” This remark sparked a sharp response from Belgrade.
Miloš Vučević, president of Serbia’s Progressive Party and advisor to President Aleksandar Vučić, accused Plenković of fostering anti-Serb sentiment and attempting to destabilize Serbia. Vučević defended Serbia’s regional leadership and dismissed Croatia’s influence, while Serbian Parliament President Ana Brnabić rejected claims of internal conflict, asserting Serbia’s unity under Vučić’s leadership.
Analysts in Belgrade view Plenković’s comments as part of a broader pattern of nationalist rhetoric in Croatia, often tied to Serbia’s Kosovo policy or its EU stance. Serbia also expressed concern over deepening military cooperation between Croatia, Kosovo, and Albania, perceiving it as an effort to isolate Belgrade geopolitically. Conversely, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is pursuing closer strategic ties with Hungary and North Macedonia, though the nature and scope of these alliances vary across military, energy, and regional cooperation dimensions.
Bled Strategic Forum: A platform for dialogue
Held annually since 2006, the Bled Strategic Forum, organised by Slovenia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Center for a European Future, has become a key platform for discussing regional and global challenges. This year’s event drew over 2,000 participants from more than 50 countries, including 185 speakers, according to the Slovenian government’s official website.
Costa also addressed broader European priorities, advocating for a “more independent, resilient, and sovereign Europe” amid the EU-US trade agreement and diplomatic efforts to counter Russian aggression in Ukraine. He pleaded fo diplomacy over escalation, particularly given security concerns on Europe’s eastern borders.
The forum highlighted both the promise and complexity of EU enlargement. While the EU’s Growth Plan offers a roadmap for integration, historical rivalries and nationalist rhetoric continue to pose significant hurdles.
For the Western Balkans, the path to EU membership demands not only technical reforms but also a commitment to reconciliation and shared values.
As Costa concluded, “All leaders must do their part. All parties must take responsibility.”
Sources: Siol.net, IBNA, BGNES, Press releases of the European Commission and the European Parliament
Caption: The President of the European Council António Costa speaks at the Bled Strategic Forum 2025 in Bled, Slovenia, 01 September 2025. The two-day forum is held under the slogan ‘A Runaway World.’ EPA/ANTONIO BAT
Updated: September 2, 2025 - 12:17
