EU-Western Balkans Summit kicks off in Albania

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - The EU-Western Balkans Summit began in Albania's capital Tirana on Tuesday.

The leaders of countries in the region, as well as European Council chief Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are attending the summit.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the EU and Western Balkan leaders at the Italian Square in the capital.

The summit is expected to host discussions on such issues as the consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine, bolstering security against foreign interventions, tackling problems arising from immigration, and combating terrorism and organized crime.

EU-brokered dialogue for normalization between Serbia and Kosovo to ease tensions and resolve disputes between the two neighbors is also on the agenda, along with visa liberalization for Kosovo.

After the summit sessions, Rama, Michel, and von der Leyen will hold a press conference.

Hundreds of security personnel were reportedly deployed, along with other measures.