LONDON (Al-Yurae) — The United Kingdom will host a high-level summit aimed at advancing peace and stability among Western Balkan nations, the government announced Thursday. The foreign ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo are set to convene at Northern Ireland’s historic Hillsborough Castle, a venue symbolic of reconciliation and lasting peace.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy will lead the talks beginning October 8, joined by ministers from over 15 European countries including Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and Denmark, the current holder of the rotating European Union presidency.
The summit comes amid mounting threats of instability, corruption and criminal gangs in the Western Balkans—issues that not only jeopardize local societies but also impact the UK’s national security and economic interests. The UK government says “lasting reconciliation” among Western Balkan neighbors is central to the discussions.
“Hillsborough Castle is a poignant reminder of the power of diplomacy to transform conflict and division into long-term peace and cooperation,” Lammy said. “By harnessing Northern Ireland’s experience, we hope to support partners in the Western Balkans to overcome the challenges of the past through meaningful reconciliation and help build a safe and prosperous future. As part of the Plan for Change, this government is committed to strengthening partnerships with Europe, ensuring strong foundations of economic stability, secure borders and national security.”
The summit’s location has witnessed key moments in the UK and Ireland’s history, including the intensive negotiations that led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended decades of sectarian violence.
The UK’s legacy of supporting security in the Balkans includes its longstanding NATO role in Kosovo and recent steps to deepen collaboration as part of the government’s “Plan for Change.” In the past year, Britain has increased its engagement with Western Balkans nations, targeting organized crime and people smuggling networks that exploit the region as a gateway to Europe. In 2024 alone, more than 55,000 people were trafficked through Balkan routes.
In April, the Foreign Secretary signed a joint agreement on organized immigration crime with Serbia during visits to the region, including Kosovo. The following month, Lammy traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina amid escalating political tensions—a reflection of the UK’s active diplomatic stance.
The summit will also highlight the expansion of the Joint Migration Task Force, now including North Macedonia alongside Albania and Kosovo, to further cooperation in combating illegal migration and organized crime.
As unresolved disputes and rising ethnic tensions continue to threaten the region’s aspirations for European integration and leave it vulnerable to malign influence, UK officials hope the summit will provide fresh momentum for dialogue and partnership. Through sharing lessons from Northern Ireland’s own peace journey, Lammy and European counterparts seek a roadmap for stability and reconciliation in the Balkans.
