Idea

The panel will take stock of the progress achieved by the Western Balkans economies in advancing the regional cooperation, European integration and transformation agenda. The interactive panel will pinpoint to further areas of joint work that can reignite the spark of regional cooperation and integration and step up the positive transformational efforts, especially on fundamental reforms, by building on the EU integration and regional cooperation as two mutually reinforcing pillars. The discussions will be informed upon the latest Balkan Barometer insights, as well as the recent launch of the annual enlargement package and the June Council’s Conclusions on enlargement.

Main Topics

• Self-driven regional cooperation as a key factor for stability, reconciliation and increased economic opportunities
• Domestic reforms, ownership of EU-driven reforms and regional cooperation
• Embracing the opportunities and delivering on the Regional Economic Area

Debate

• H.E. Miro Cerar – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Slovenia TBC
• Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of Regional Cooperation Council
• Genoveva Ruiz Calavera, Director for the Western Balkans at the Directorate-General for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission
• Aleksandar Drljević, Chief Negotiator, Montenegro
• Srdjan Majstorovic, Chairman of the Governing Board of the European Policy Centre
• Sanjin Arifagić, Expert on Regional Cooperation and EU Enlargement

 

Time frame and format: Moderated 60 minutes panel discussion