Taoiseach Micheál Martin to attend EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro
- Published on: 4 June 2026
- Last updated on: 4 June 2026
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Tivat, Montenegro, tomorrow (Friday) for the EU-Western Balkans Summit, hosted by the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović. The Summit, the central theme of which is “Shared prosperity and stability of the EU and the Western Balkans”, will bring together Leaders of EU Member States and Institutions with Leaders of the six countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia).
Leaders will discuss progress in integrating countries of the Western Balkans into the EU, including through the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, as well as wider regional and global issues.
This evening (Thursday), the Taoiseach will join leaders for a dinner hosted by Montenegro to mark twenty years since it regained independence in 2006.
Speaking ahead of the Summit, the Taoiseach said:
“At a time of increased geopolitical tension, it is more important than ever for neighbours to work closely together. The mutually beneficial relationship between the EU and countries of the Western Balkans has never been more important, and it is vital that we work together to deepen and to strengthen it, especially as they advance along their path towards EU membership. It is a relationship that Ireland will look to develop further during our upcoming EU Presidency.
Indeed, Ireland has significantly deepened our own presence in the Western Balkans, with new embassies opened in Belgrade and Sarajevo last year – a sign of our commitment to the region.
I will also take the opportunity to meet with a number of my counterparts from the Western Balkans and will assure them of our support for enlargement and our commitment to making progress during our Presidency. We believe that every European country deserves the same opportunity as Ireland received more than 50 years ago, provided that they meet all the necessary accession criteria.”