Integrating the Western Balkans into the EU’s Security and Defence Policy Framework

Brussels, 23 May 2025 – The Western Balkan countries are increasingly viewed as essential partners in advancing the European Union’s strategic defence autonomy, amid rising geopolitical tensions and efforts to boost the EU’s crisis response and industrial defence capacity.

At a roundtable held in Brussels, experts and policymakers examined the region’s growing role in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), emphasizing the importance of greater alignment, increased defence spending, and integration into EU-led initiatives. The discussion underscored the need to enhance regional defence manufacturing, logistics infrastructure, and interoperability with EU forces—seen as crucial for bolstering Europe’s defence-technological base and operational resilience.

The meeting, convened by the South-East Europe Programme of ELIAMEP, in partnership with the Permanent Representation of Greece to the EU, also explored how Western Balkan contributions to peace missions and support for Ukraine are reinforcing their strategic relevance.

The roundtable was held under the “think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration” initiative, supported by the OSF-WB. In addition to the public event, ELIAMEP and OSF–WB representatives held bilateral meetings with senior EU officials and Members of the European Parliament to discuss the region’s role in EU enlargement and strategic defence policy.

The forthcoming ELIAMEP study, developed with OSF-WB support, “Western Balkans: A Strategic Defence Partner for the EU,” is expected to provide further policy recommendations on positioning the Western Balkans as a reliable security and defence partner for the EU.