The EU and the US sides exchanged views on progress made by candidate countries in the enlargement process as well as on the political situation in Turkey, Montenegro, and Serbia. They discussed the latest developments in the opening of negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, reaffirming their interest in further cooperation. Political Director Jernej Müller, representing Slovenia as the current holder of the EU Council Presidency, underlined the strategic value of enlargement in ensuring stability in the region and therefore across the entire EU, and took time to outline the achievements of the Slovenian Presidency in this respect.

Participants also included representatives of the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS). The US delegation was led by Gabriel Escobar, the Deputy Assistant Secretary responsible for the South Central European portfolio, and Erika Olson, the Deputy Assistant Secretary overseeing policy for Southern Europe.