Poland supports the EU enlargement policy – we look at the enlargement process from a strategic perspective. This is a matter of security and stability for the whole continent. Instability in the EU's eastern and southern neighbourhoods makes it necessary for the EU, its Member States, and the countries covered by the EU's enlargement policy to work together to address such challenges as illegal migration, organised crime, hybrid threats, and interference by external actors. It should be stressed that Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia have been NATO members since 2009, 2017 and 2020, respectively. This is of a major geostrategic importance in the Mediterranean.   

Poland's support for the enlargement is conditional on the Western Balkans' reform progress. However, we believe that the European integration process is the best tool for change — a stimulus to reforms and economic development in the region.

Among the Western Balkan countries, Montenegro and Serbia have started accession negotiations with the EU. The decision on the commencement of accession negotiations by Albania and North Macedonia was taken by the EU Council in March 2020. Currently, discussions are underway to agree on a negotiating framework for both countries.

Poland supports candidates and potential candidates at two levels — political and technical. We want to share our transformation success and experience of the difficult reform process. 

We are an active member of the so called Tallinn Group, an informal group of Member States that support the enlargement process. To keep it on track, we advocate the consistent opening of following negotiating chapters. Furthermore, we are committed to maintain the pro-enlargement sentiment within the EU.

Our engagement in the region is constantly growing as evidenced by Polish chairmanship in the Berlin Process in 2019 and the Western Balkans Summit in Poznań. Poland supports local communities in the Western Balkans as part of development assistance through development assistance projects, that, inter alia, help their beneficiaries to purchase medical equipment or renovate schools.      

The Guidelines of the Republic of Poland’s policy towards the Western Balkans, adopted by the European Affairs Committee in 2014, are the framework for activities of all ministries.