Online Citizens' Dialogue "Europe in the Neighbourhood - Let's talk beyond borders! The struggle for European integration in the Western Balkans"

For years, the Western Balkans have been awaiting EU membership. In 2003, European heads of state and government opened up the possibility of accession for the region, yet twenty years later, none of the six Western Balkan countries have joined the EU. However, with the onset of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the stalled accession negotiations have gained new momentum. What opportunities does this new geopolitical situation present for reviving the EU accession process in the Western Balkans? What are the reasons for the limited progress made in recent years? And how can we support the Western Balkans on their path towards EU membership?

These and other questions will be discussed in the first Citizens' Dialogue of the three-part series "Europe in the Neighbourhood - Let's talk!" on Wednesday, 21 June 2023, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. (CEST).Exchange among others with:

Manuel Sarrazin, Special Representative of the Federal Government for the Countries of the Western Balkans

Harun Cero, Project manager / Research Fellow for EU Enlargement and Security at Friedrich Ebert Foundation Dialogue Southeast Europe in Sarajevo

Dr. Simonida Kacarska, Directress of the European Policy Institute in Skopje

Moderation: Steven Blockmanns, Director Centre for European Policy Studies 

REGISTER HERE

The event is organised in cooperation with Friedrich Ebert Foundation Dialogue Southeast Europe and Centre for European Policy Studies. The project is funded by the Auswärtiges Amt and the Presse- und Informationsamt der Bundesregierung.

We would be very happy to welcome you at our Citizens' Dialogue and look forward to further exchange with you!

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