In a significant diplomatic effort, the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, will welcome over 15 European Ministers to Belfast for a meeting on the Western Balkans later this year. The gathering, set to take place from October 8, aims to promote peace, stability, and cooperation in the region, while strengthening Europe’s collective security and combating organized crime and people smuggling gangs.
The historic Hillsborough Castle will serve as the backdrop for the meeting, a poignant reminder of the power of diplomacy to transform conflict and division into long-term peace and cooperation. The castle, which played host to vital moments in UK and Irish politics, including intense negotiations that salvaged peace talks from the brink of collapse, has set an important example of reconciliation for the Western Balkans.
The Foreign Secretary will draw on the lessons learned from Northern Ireland’s experience with the Good Friday Agreement, which forged a lasting peace between communities after decades of division. He hopes to support partners in the region in overcoming their own challenges through meaningful reconciliation and building a safe and prosperous future.
“Hillsborough Castle is a powerful symbol of the human spirit’s ability to come together and create positive change,” said Foreign Secretary David Lammy. “We will use this historic setting to support our European partners as they work towards peace, stability, and cooperation in the Western Balkans.”
The meeting comes at a critical time for the region, which faces growing threats from instability, corruption, and criminal gangs that compromise UK security and growth. The UK has a longstanding role and an important legacy in promoting security in the Western Balkans, including through its presence in NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosovo since 1999.
The Foreign Secretary’s visit is part of the UK’s chairing of the Berlin Process in 2025, a key international forum that brings together all six Western Balkans countries alongside partner European nations to drive regional and economic cooperation. The government has taken practical steps to address migration issues in the region, including launching the world’s first sanctions regime targeting irregular migration and trafficking criminals.
Last month, the Government launched this new sanctions regime, which targets those profiting from human misery. This move demonstrates the UK’s commitment to tackling the root causes of migration and supporting the security and stability of the Western Balkans.
Significance of the Meeting
The foreign ministers’ meeting at Hillsborough Castle represents a significant diplomatic effort to promote peace, stability, and cooperation in the Western Balkans. By harnessing the lessons learned from Northern Ireland’s experience with the Good Friday Agreement, the UK hopes to support partners in the region in building a lasting legacy of hope and practical experience.
The meeting marks an important step towards the UK’s chairing of the Berlin Process in 2025, which aims to drive regional and economic cooperation in the Western Balkans. As the UK continues to engage with European partners on this critical issue, it remains committed to strengthening partnerships, ensuring strong foundations of economic stability, secure borders, and national security.