London post-Brexit will retain Balkan security role

Significance

The summit is an opportunity for reinvigorating the Berlin Process which has faded somewhat as the European migration crisis, Brexit and reform priorities put EU enlargement on hold. It is also a chance for the United Kingdom to emphasise its commitment to the region and support for multilateral approaches, especially that of the EU, despite the presence of Brexit as a significant complicating factor on all fronts.

Impacts

• The summit will bring significant developments in the overlapping areas of regional security and reconciliation and political cooperation.
• The last-minute appropriation of the bilateral Macedonian-Greek name deal will add to the atmosphere of a successful summit.
• Getting premiers to sign significant documents would ensure that states not just NGOs are fully engaged and owning the Berlin Process.