Italy is once again reaffirming its commitment to the European Union’s enlargement process in the Western Balkans. On 10 July, Villa Madama hosted the ministerial meeting of the Friends of the Western Balkans group, chaired by Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani and aimed at strengthening European support for the six Western Balkan countries engaged in the EU accession process.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Rome Charter, a political document promoted by Italy that seeks to reaffirm a number of principles considered essential for the future of EU enlargement. The initiative comes at a time of renewed European attention towards the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union.
The Friends of the Western Balkans Group
The group brings together seven EU Member States – Italy, Austria, Croatia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia – committed to supporting the EU accession paths of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Hungary also took part in the Rome meeting for the first time, having been invited in recognition of its commitment to supporting the integration of the Western Balkans.
The meeting took place just two months after the previous ministerial gathering in Bratislava, reflecting the participating countries’ determination to keep the future of the Western Balkans and the EU enlargement process high on the European political agenda.
Alongside the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, representatives of international organisations and European institutions also attended, including the FAO Deputy Director-General, Maurizio Martina, the European Coordinator of the Western Balkans–Eastern Mediterranean Transport Corridor, Marian-Jean Marinescu and the InCE Secretary-General, Franco Dal Mas. Discussions focused not only on the EU accession process but also on strategic issues such as food security, supply chain resilience and strengthening regional connectivity.
What Does the Rome Charter Propose?
The main outcome of the meeting was the adoption of the Rome Charter, through which the participating countries call for preserving the credibility, predictability and unity of the enlargement process. The document reaffirms key principles for the future of enlargement, stressing the need to ensure that the accession process remains clear, coherent and firmly oriented towards the ultimate objective of EU membership.
Among its core principles is the reaffirmation of the full equality of Member States after accession. The Charter rejects models of “second-tier membership”, reaffirming that future members should enjoy the same rights and assume the same responsibilities as existing EU Member States.
The document also stresses the need to avoid introducing new conditionalities during the accession process. Any safeguard clauses or transitional measures, it states, should be based on objective, proportionate and temporary requirements, while taking into account the specific circumstances of each candidate country.
Italy’s Role in the Enlargement Debate
The initiative confirms Italy’s intention to play a leading role in the European debate on enlargement. In a message published on X following the meeting, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed the need to “give political priority to the reunification of the European family with the Balkans,” adding that “Italy intends to lead this process with a clear and determined strategic vision.” In the same message, he also highlighted the importance of strengthening transport infrastructure, energy networks and digital connectivity, referring to strategic projects such as IMEC and Corridor VIII while linking the enlargement process to broader issues including food security and Europe’s resilience.
A Dynamic Phase for the Enlargement Process
The Italian initiative comes at a particularly dynamic moment for EU enlargement. The adoption of the Rome Charter takes place just days before a new series of Intergovernmental Conferences scheduled in the framework of the EU General Affairs Council on 14 July.
On that occasion, the Irish Presidency aims to advance accession negotiations with Albania, Montenegro, Ukraine and Moldova. The objective is to continue closing additional negotiating chapters with Albania and Montenegro, while opening new negotiation clusters with Ukraine and Moldova. Serbia’s situation, however, remains different for the time being, as EU Member States have yet to reach consensus on opening the negotiating chapters currently under discussion.
Looking Ahead
The Rome Charter reaffirms a vision of the enlargement process based on principles shared by the participating countries: preserving the credibility of the accession process, ensuring clear rules, and guaranteeing that all future Member States join the European Union with equal rights and responsibilities.
At a time of significant geopolitical challenges, renewed support for the Western Balkans confirms that EU enlargement has returned to the centre of the European political debate. For the countries of the region, progress towards membership remains linked to meeting the accession criteria and implementing the required reforms. Within this context, the Rome Charter represents a political signal reaffirming the commitment of a group of EU Member States to an enlargement process that is credible, predictable and aimed at the full integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union.
Sources
- Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, Al via la Riunione ministeriale del gruppo “Amici dei Balcani occidentali” (10 luglio 2026) – esteri.it
- ANSA, I Paesi del Gruppo Amici dei Balcani approvano la “Carta di Roma” (11 luglio 2026) – ansa.it
- Antonio Tajani, Post su X relativo alla riunione del Gruppo “Amici dei Balcani occidentali” (10 luglio 2026) – com/Antonio_Tajani
- Andrea Carli, Balcani occidentali nella Ue, vertice a Roma. Italia in pressing, Il Sole 24 Ore (10 luglio 2026) – ilsole24ore.com