Brussels, 5 December 2024 (MIA) - Deputy Prime Ministers Aleksandar Nikoloski and Arben Fetai are to attend the traditional EU-Western Balkans Summit themed “A Renewed Approach to the Region” on Thursday in Brussels, organized by the Brussels-based think tank Friends of Europe.

The Western Balkans Summit aims to build a cohesive and comprehensive strategy for integrating the region into the EU, while adapting its ambitions and policies to fit the new reality of an enlarged and more complex Europe.

In the forum announcement, the organizers point out that due to the geopolitical urgency created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the European Union may welcome several new member states from both the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe by 2030.

“The link between post-soviet Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine and the Western Balkans is akin to two sides of the same coin when it comes to EU enlargement. Both regions are pivotal in shaping the future landscape of the EU. On their integration path, Moldova, Ukraine and the Western Balkans share similar challenges related to the rule of law, judicial and anti-corruption reforms, geopolitical pressure, and foreign information manipulation and interference,” according to the announcement.

This year’s European parliamentary elections in 2024 and the subsequent formation of a new European Parliament and Commission will play a critical role in determining the pace and priorities of the EU enlargement process, the event organizers point out.

“The next mandate will be crucial as it will coincide with a period of significant geopolitical shifts, making it essential for the new Commission to prioritise strategic reforms that enhance the EU’s institutional readiness and policy coherence. As underscored in Ursula von der Leyen’s political guidelines for the next European Commission, “enlargement as a geopolitical imperative” is a central theme, reflecting the urgency of integrating new member states to bolster European security and resilience. The 2024 Western Balkans Summit aims to redefine the dialogue on EU enlargement by focusing on the accession processes of Western Balkan countries through an inclusive and innovative approach,” according to the think tank Friends of Europe.

Furthermore, the summit will address the broader implications of EU enlargement on the Union’s long-term goals. As societal polarisation and political fragmentation continue to rise within the EU, the new Commission will need to take decisive measures to ensure that the enlargement process strengthens the societies rather than exacerbates these divisions. 

“The focus will be on accelerating internal integration and enhancing policy coherence to prepare the EU for the inclusion of new member states with varying economic and social backgrounds. The summit also connects with broader social policy choices being debated under the Renewed Social Contract initiative, particularly regarding the EU’s soft power and its role in promoting European security and resilience. Enlargement, political integration, rule of law, and shared values are directly linked to these policy choices, which aim to ensure that the EU remains a predictable, inclusive, fair and influential global actor,” as noted in the announcement.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Aleksandar Nikoloski, will join as a panelist in the second session of the forum, "Unlocking economic potential: growth and integration through EU accession."

In addition to him, the session will feature speeches by the Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee, Karlo Ressler; Head of Unit for Western Balkans Policy and Regional Strategy and Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) at the European Commission, Thomas Hagleitner; Director for Competitiveness, Governance, and Political Affairs at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Milica Delević; Programme Director and Lead Researcher at the Kosovo Women's Network, Nicole Farnsworth; and the Secretary General of the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum, Tatjana Shterjova Dushkovska.

According to the announcement for this session, it is pointed out that as the European Union renews its commitment to the enlargement process, the European Commission’s ‘New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans’ offers a roadmap for fostering economic convergence, enhancing regional cooperation, and integrating with the Single Market.

“A central objective of this plan is to accelerate reforms in key areas such as the rule of law, economic governance and democratic institutions, while providing a structured pathway towards EU membership. While Western Balkan countries have welcomed this initiative, concerns remain regarding budget consistency, political alignment, and its integration within the broader accession framework,” the organizers note.

The economic future of the Western Balkans cannot be envisioned without considering the private sector’s role, both within and outside the region.

“Understanding how businesses perceive economic trends, growth prospects, and the capacity for local versus external investment is crucial. These insights will help shape the direction of development initiatives and influence the region’s integration into the European and global economy,” the announcement adds.

Deputy Prime Minister for Good Governance, Arben Fetai, on the other hand, will be one of the panelists at the third session, “Shared justice: building fairer and more inclusive systems in the region.”

In addition to Fetai, the panelists for this session will include the Montenegrin Minister of Justice Bojan Božović, Member of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, Helmut Brandstätter, Member of Parliament of Cyprus, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Special Representative on South East Europe, Kyriakos Hadjiyianni, Executive Director of the Albanian Helsinki Committee, Erida Skëndaj, and member of Board on relations with partners and national member for the Netherlands at Eurojust, Alexander van Dam.

According to the announcement for this session, over the past three decades, establishing a robust rule of law in the Western Balkans has been challenging. Despite significant legal changes, issues of political influence, corruption, and inefficiency persist in the region’s judicial systems. A transparent, impartial and efficient judiciary is crucial for regional stability.

“This session will further explore the critical aspects of justice reform in the Western Balkans. This session will reflect on past reform efforts, identify areas for improvement, and explore innovative approaches for future reforms. The discussions will be guided by the summary and key takeaways from the roundtable in Tirana, providing a solid foundation for developing a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to justice reform in the region,” reads the announcement.

The EU-Western Balkans Summit will begin with the session "EU enlargement: the role of norms and values in the accession journey," where the panelists will include European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Marta Kos, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović, President of the Serbian National Assembly and former Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice Olha Stefanishyna, European Commission Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), Gert Jan Koopman, and MEP and former Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet.

This session will explore the political dimensions of EU enlargement, focusing on the critical institutional and geopolitical challenges that shape the accession process for the Western Balkans.

“Amidst global shifts, such as the war in Ukraine and growing external influence from Russia and China, the geopolitical importance of integrating the Western Balkans has intensified. Stability in the region is crucial to the EU’s security and foreign policy. This session will also examine how the Western Balkans can navigate these challenges and advance political reforms. With a focus on political leadership, democratic governance, and accountability, this discussion will aim to provide insights into the future of EU Western Balkans relations and the political reforms needed for successful integration,” reads the announcement.

Photo: MIA archive