Accelerating Western Balkans Integration: The Tivat Summit and Kosovo’s Strategic Growth Plan

In February 2026, the European integration trajectory for the Western Balkans experienced a significant surge in momentum, fueled by a series of high-level political engagements and legislative breakthroughs. This shift has redefined the region's path toward Brussels, centered on a renewed strategic vision for EU expansion. A major catalyst for this renewed energy was the vocal support from German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who signaled Berlin’s unwavering commitment to integrating the region into the European fold.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on February 13, 2026, Chancellor Merz voiced critical concerns regarding the European Union's current methodology toward candidate nations. He emphasized that Germany has no intention of allowing the Western Balkans to drift away, asserting that the region’s rightful place is within the EU. To streamline this process, Merz advocated for the abolition of unanimous voting requirements in the EU Council for opening new negotiation chapters, proposing a firm deadline of April 2026 for this transition. This German backing, reinforced by Merz’s security dialogues with Emmanuel Macron regarding the future of European stability, has injected substantial political weight into the enlargement agenda.

Meanwhile, Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović, who has held office since May 2023, solidified plans for the upcoming EU-Western Balkans Summit following consultations with European Council President Charles Michel. The summit is scheduled to take place in Tivat on June 5, 2026, and will serve as a pivotal platform to discuss Montenegro’s ambitious target of achieving full EU membership by 2028. Reaching this milestone will require not only meeting technical benchmarks but also ensuring deep-seated political stability, including the finalization of the Constitutional Court. Montenegro continues to be viewed as a frontrunner in the accession process, having strengthened its position by successfully closing several negotiation chapters throughout 2025.

In Kosovo, the political landscape shifted rapidly following the confirmation of Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s government on February 12, 2026, effectively ending a period of prolonged deadlock. Demonstrating remarkable administrative speed, the Kurti administration ratified the European Growth Plan agreement on that very same day. This legislative move clears the path for Kosovo to access a financial package totaling approximately 882 million euros in grants and concessional loans, representing nearly 8% of the nation’s GDP. Finance Minister Hekuran Murati highlighted the urgency of this ratification, noting that it secures access to vital funds, including roughly 253.3 million euros designated specifically as grants.

The European Commission has lauded the swift approval of Kosovo’s Growth Plan, characterizing it as a landmark moment for both economic and institutional advancement. However, the EU Office in Kosovo has cautioned that the focus must now shift toward meeting the technical prerequisites necessary to unlock an initial advance of 61.8 million euros, which constitutes 7% of the total allocation. The timeline remains exceptionally tight; the deadline for implementing reform measures originally slated for June 2025 is set for June 30, 2026. This phase involves 13 specific steps tied to the disbursement of an additional 90.7 million euros in financial support.

Kosovo’s decisive action in ratifying the Growth Plan illustrates a newfound political efficiency after overcoming internal stagnation, ensuring immediate access to resources aimed at accelerating socio-economic convergence with European standards. These regional advancements are unfolding against a broader geopolitical backdrop, where Chancellor Merz, during his February 13, 2026, Munich address, also called for the establishment of a robust European pillar within NATO. Collectively, these events signal a profound and fundamental transformation across the Western Balkans as the region strives for a permanent place within the European core.