MCN – EU Leaders’ Summit / Deliu: First time held in a Western Balkan country, May 15, 2025

In an interview with MCN, Nirvana Deliu, Policy Researcher at the European Movement in Albania (EMA), highlighted that for the first time, this summit is being held in a Western Balkan country and the third time in a non-European Union country. Unlike previous editions, this summit had a specific theme that encompasses the entire European continent, linking issues of security and the strengthening of democracy, and recently, economic competitiveness to make Europe more competitive in the global market. The summit brought together representatives from EU institutions and influential geopolitical actors from non-EU countries.

In May, the opening of Cluster 3 – Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth will take place, covering chapters related to education, science, employment, and social protection. This means eight more chapters will be opened, while 16 chapters remain already open. However, Chapters 23 and 24 remain the most important as they include justice, judiciary, and human rights. Meanwhile, the European Commission and other EU actors continue to closely monitor the negotiation process.

MCN – EU Leaders’ Summit / Deliu: First time held in a Western Balkan country, May 15, 2025