Migrant crisis to eclipse EU enlargement gathering

Preview and reports of the 2nd Western Balkans Summit, Vienna, 27 August 2015.

The formal reason for the Summit was as part of the 'Berlin Process' marking the commitment of the EU towards the future enlargement of the European Union to include the countries of the Western Balkans, and to encourage regional co-operation.

However, the 2015 European migration challenges facing the Balkan countries, as well as the wider Europe, came to dominate the meeting.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: A European Response to Migration: Showing solidarity and sharing responsibility http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-a-european-response-to-migration-showing-solidarity-and-sharing-responsibility/

ESO: Background information: Refugees clamber onto Macedonian trains http://www.europeansources.info/record/refugees-clamber-onto-macedonian-trains-macedonia-disperses-migrants-with-tear-gas-stun-grenades/

Frontex: Trends and Routes: Western Balkan route http://frontex.europa.eu/trends-and-routes/western-balkan-route/

ESO: Background information: Germany urged to deter Balkan asylum claims http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-urged-to-deter-balkan-asylum-claims/

ESO: Background information: Western Balkans Annual Risk Analysis 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/western-balkans-annual-risk-analysis-2015/

European Commission: DG European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement: News 20.08.15: Western Balkan Summit in Vienna: a further step towards regional cooperation and EU-Integration http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/news_corner/news/2015/08/20150820_en.htm

Wikipedia: 2015 Western Balkans Summit, Vienna https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Western_Balkans_Summit,_Vienna

Website: Western Balkans Summit Vienna 2015 (Austria: Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs) http://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/european-foreign-policy/foreign-policy/western-balkans-summit/

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: PRESS RELEASE: IP/15/5529, 26.08.15: EU support for the Western Balkans at 2015 Summit in Vienna http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-5529_en.htm

Deutsche Welle, 27.08.15: The EU-Balkans relationship is a two-way failure http://dw.com/p/1GL47

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/15/5535, 27.08.15: Funding to main migration-related activities in the Western Balkans and Turkey http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-15-5535_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Speech by Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič at the Celebration Ceremony of 10th Anniversary Energy Community http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-speech-by-vice-president-maros-sefcovic-at-the-celebration-ceremony-of-10th-anniversary-energy-community/

BBC News, 28.08.15: Migrants crisis: Austria and Balkans call for EU answer http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34071167

Deutsche Welle, 27.08.15: German FM Steinmeier demands 'fair distribution' of refugees http://dw.com/p/1GMmC

EUObserver, 27.08.15: EU free movement put into question at Vienna summit https://euobserver.com/migration/130022

EU: EEAS: Press Release, 27.08.15: Remarks by High-Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini at the joint press conference with the Austrian Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann, German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, at the Western Balkans Summit in Vienna http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2015/150827_01_en.htm

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 05.09.15: The refugee crisis underlines the absurdity of Western Balkans states being outside of the EU http://bit.ly/1L9Qqit

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

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