Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what are their principal aims for the EU–Western Balkans summit to be held in Sofia in May, and for the subsequent UK–Western Balkans summit to be held in London in July; and whether they plan to advance the concept of EU enlargement on these occasions.

The EU-Western Balkans Summit in May and the UK-hosted Western Balkans Summit in July are crucial elements of a busy year of international activism on the Western Balkans. The Government is working closely with the Bulgarian government and the EU institutions to ensure that the London Summit builds on and complements the Sofia Summit. In doing so, we are maximising the impact of our collective efforts to promote economic stability; increase security cooperation; and address political challenges in the region. Progress in these areas will support the Western Balkans countries in moving forward on their Euro-Atlantic accession path whilst contributing to UK security interests.