Foreign Secretary to put boosting security and tackling illegal migration at the heart of foreign policy during meeting of European partners

The Foreign Secretary will host European partners today (9 October) to focus on preserving security and stability in the Western Balkans, boosting growth and trade, and increasing cooperation in the fight against organised immigration crime. 

Yvette Cooper will host the Western Balkans Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hillsborough Castle to discuss how the UK can support a region where instability can cause a direct effect on the Government’s priorities to protect national security and secure the UK’s borders.

The summit will discuss the importance of building resilience in the Western Balkans to combat the constant flood of Russian hybrid threats aimed at destabilising the region, and fanning ethnic tensions. The Foreign Secretary will unveil a new £4 million project to reinforce cy