Northern Ireland’s Peace Process to Inspire Western Balkans Summit
A high-level international summit focused on the Western Balkans will be held at Hillsborough Castle later this year, drawing inspiration from Northern Ireland’s peace process. The meeting aims to foster reconciliation and address growing threats of instability, corruption, and organized crime in the region, which also impact UK security.
Key Takeaways
- Foreign Secretary David Lammy will host over 15 European ministers at Hillsborough Castle.
- The summit will leverage Northern Ireland’s experience with the Good Friday Agreement to promote peace and cooperation in the Western Balkans.
- Discussions will also focus on strengthening collective European security and combating organized crime and people smuggling.
- The UK’s commitment to partnerships with Europe and enhancing national security will be emphasized.
A Legacy of Hope and Diplomacy
Foreign Secretary David Lammy highlighted Hillsborough Castle as a potent symbol of diplomacy’s ability to transform conflict into lasting peace. "By harnessing Northern Ireland’s experience, we hope to support partners in the Western Balkans to overcome the challenges of the past through meaningful reconciliation and help build a safe and prosperous future," Lammy stated. He emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening European partnerships for economic stability, secure borders, and national security.
Invaluable Experience for the Western Balkans
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, echoed these sentiments, calling Northern Ireland’s journey to peace through the Good Friday Agreement a powerful global example. "This provides a legacy of hope as well as practical experience which I believe will prove invaluable to our Western Balkans partners as they travel a similar path to peace and prosperity," Benn remarked. He added that Hillsborough Castle, a long-standing forum for peace-building, is a fitting venue for this significant international event.
Addressing Regional Instability and Crime
The summit comes at a time when the Western Balkans face increasing ethnic tensions and vulnerability to malign influence. The UK has been actively engaged in the region, including its role in NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosovo since 1999. Efforts to combat organized crime and people smuggling have intensified, with over 55,000 people trafficked along routes through the Western Balkans in 2024 alone. The UK has signed agreements on organized immigration crime with Serbia and expanded its Joint Migration Task Force with Albania and Kosovo. Furthermore, the UK has launched a sanctions regime targeting irregular migration and trafficking criminals.
The meeting is part of the UK’s broader engagement, including its upcoming chairing of the Berlin Process in 2025, a key forum for driving regional and economic cooperation in the Western Balkans. The Home Secretary will also host a migration-focused Interior Minister meeting, and the Prime Minister will convene a Leaders’ Summit in London.
