Commissioner Marta Kos in Sofia for “EU Meets the Balkans” Forum

From April 16 to 17, Commissioner for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood Marta Kos will be in Sofia, Bulgaria, to take part in the “EU Meets the Balkans Forum” — an annual high-level gathering organised by the European Liberal Forum with the support of the ALDE Party and the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria.

In parallel, Commissioner Kos will hold bilateral meetings with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev, which will focus on accelerating reform, enhancing regional cooperation, and ensuring a credible and merit-based enlargement process. In addition, Commissioner Kos will also meet with the Mayor of Sofia, Vasil Terziev, to discuss the importance of city-to-city cooperation in supporting the EU enlargement process.

The “EU Meets the Balkans Forum” forum will bring together ministers and senior political representatives from the Western Balkans and neighbouring EU Member States, as well as think-tanks and private sector leaders. The agenda will centre on advancing alignment, integration, and connectivity between the EU and the region. Commissioner Kos will deliver a keynote address at the opening of the forum.

The forum will also mark the 20th anniversary of the signing of Bulgaria’s and Romania’s EU Accession Treaties, offering an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned and the transformative impact of EU membership. 

In addition to her keynote speech, Commissioner Kos will take part in a fireside chat with Ivan Krastev and Boyko Vasilev to explore the future of EU enlargement and EU–Western Balkans relations in light of current geopolitical and institutional dynamics. 

The visit will underscore the European Union’s commitment to Western Balkans partners EU accession path.