Taking part in his first major summit as German chancellor, Friedrich Merz called on Europe to do everything to "keep the Americans on our side." The talks in Albania focused on European security and Ukraine.

European leaders descend on Albania on Friday for a meeting sure to be dominated by the war in Ukraine, but small Balkan countries hope talk of EU enlargement will also feature at the European Political Community Summit.

That’s what happened Friday, when the more than 40 leaders gathered at the opening ceremony of the European Political Community in Tirana, Albania, were greeted by a short film that showed each of them as a baby saying “Welcome to Albania” in their native language.