German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will host the leaders of the six Western Balkan countries on Monday for a summit aimed at forging closer ties with the European Union.

The summit will be attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and representatives from nine EU countries and international organisations.

The summit, which has been held annually since 2014, aims to gradually bring Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia closer to the EU.

An action plan for a regional common market and a new mobility agreement to facilitate access to higher education will be signed during the summit.