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WESTERN BALKANS:
Fast lane, slow lane
Winter 2014
With the support of
Media partner
WESTERN BALKANS:
fast lane, slow lane
Report of the high-level European Policy Summit
co-organised by Friends of Europe, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and MK Group
with the support of LM&CO
and with media partner Europe’s World
Winter 2014
Brussels
This report reflects the conference rapporteur’s understanding of the views
expressed by participants. Moreover, these views are not necessarily those
of the organisations that participants represent, nor of Friends of Europe, its
Board of Trustees, members or partners.
Reproduction in whole or in part is permitted, provided that full credit is
given to Friends of Europe and that any such reproduction, whether in
whole or in part, is not sold unless incorporated in other works.
Rapporteur: David Koczij
Publisher: Geert Cami
Director: Nathalie Furrer
Programme Manager: Lindsay Digneffe
Photographer: Philippe Molitor
Design & Layout: Cristina Frauca
© Friends of Europe, January 2014
This report is printed on sustainably produced paper
Table of contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
5
INTRODUCTION
6
MAINTANING THE FOCUS ON
ENLARGEMENT POLICY
8
sTRENGTHENING THE ECONOMIES
OF THE WESTERN BALKANS
13
sTRENGTH IN NUMBERS: Increasing
21
regional cooperation
An overview of the enlargement
pROCESS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS 24
Croatia25
Serbia26
Albania 27
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
28
Kosovo30
Bosnia and Herzegovina
31
Montenegro32
CONCLUSION
33
ANNEX I - Programme35
ANNEX II - List of participants37
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Western Balkans: Fast lane, slow lane | Winter 2014
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The past year has been reinvigorating for the European Union’s (EU) enlargement
process in the Western Balkans. During 2013, many advances have been made:
Croatia joined the EU as its 28th member state, Serbia and Kosovo reached an
unprecedented level of understanding during normalisation talks, and Albania
held peaceful and legitimate parliamentary elections and is likely to be granted
candidate status by the end of 2013.
With the new EU semester around the corner, the important role of enlargement
policy to the EU’s position in the world and with its citizens needs to be
emphasised. The European Commission and member states must strive to
reach consensus on the remaining prospective and candidate countries in the
Western Balkans and find the political will to help those countries that are willing
to tackle the necessary reforms outlined by the Community Acquis.
With Europe still climbing out of the economic crisis, the focus for the Western
Balkan states should be on economic governance, rule of law and institutionbuilding. The EU’s Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance for the 2014-2020
EU semester (IPA II) will concentrate funds in these areas.
The economies of the Western Balkans remain troubled, with high structural
unemployment and a dearth of foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly from
European countries. While new investments are appearing, notably from Russia
and China, to build regional infrastructure, there are concerns that European
values are not being respected. This issue could be addressed by creating closer
economic ties with the EU.
In order to build on past successes and stimulate economic growth and
sustainability, a broader regional perspective is needed. The strength of the
Western Balkans lies in synergies within it and the value that it could bring to the
EU as a functioning market. To this end, the South East Europe 2020 strategy
(SEE 2020), undertaken with the governments of the region and the Regional
Cooperation Council (RCC) has outlined a process to combat joblessness,
promote cross-border trade, and develop infrastructure.
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INTRODUCTION
The last twelve months have been exciting for the Western Balkans, noted
moderator Tim Judah, Western Balkans Correspondent for The Economist, at
Friends of Europe’s 12th annual Balkans Summit, entitled ‘Western Balkans: Fast
lane, slow lane’.
“In an uncertain world, most countries in the Western Balkans are doing quite
well,” he underlined. “Though problems remain, particularly economic problems,
many of them are moving forward on the path to EU integration.”
Among the most noteworthy headlines of the past year is the state of relations
between Serbia and Kosovo. Aside from the technical impact of what normalised
relations between the two means for their accession processes, the psychological
breakthrough for this previously conflict-ridden region is enormous, he said.
“In an uncertain world, most countries in
the Western Balkans are doing quite well.
Though problems remain, particularly
economic problems.”
Tim Judah, Western Balkans Correspondent for The
Economist
Stefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy,
indicated that the various successes for the EU’s enlargement policy in the Western
Balkans during 2013 – Croatia’s accession to the Union, the normalisation of
relations between Serbia and Kosovo, and Albania’s accelerating reform process
– demonstrate positive examples of the relevance of enlargement.
“The past year has shown us that the enlargement process is credible and that
the EU delivers when conditions are met,” he noted. “The Western Balkans and
the EU together are showing us what can be achieved, provided political leaders
show courage and vision.”
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The EU risks missing out on economic opportunities, as well as improving ties
to the Western Balkans as increasingly, China and Russia are moving in to make
large-scale infrastructure and energy investments in the region. “It behoves the
EU to maintain closer economic ties with the Western Balkans and to keep
‘Europe’s courtyard’ in Europe,” noted Miodrag Kostic, President, MK Group.
“The question of whether our countries are in the fast or slow lane towards EU
integration depends on how our governments are able to deliver on key reforms,”
stressed Nikola Poposki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia. The major reforms required in South East Europe
must focus on regional cooperation to enlarge economic markets. “If we as a
“The past year has shown us that the enlargement process is
credible and that the EU delivers when conditions are met.”
Stefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy
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region take our reform processes seriously, the objectives we have fixed for EU
accession will serve to improve the quality of life in our countries,” he concluded.
“It behoves the EU to maintain closer economic ties with the
Western Balkans and to keep ‘Europe’s courtyard’ in Europe.”
Miodrag Kostic, President, MK Group
“If we as a region take our reform processes seriously, the
objectives we have fixed for EU accession will serve to improve
the quality of life in our countries.”
Nikola Poposki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Maintaining the focus on
enlargement policy
The awarding of last year’s Nobel Peace Prize to the EU is proof of the relevance
of enlargement to Europe and the world at large. Though enlargement is the EU’s
most successful policy, this is not to say that it can proceed without hindrance,
Füle said.
Faced with a tough economic and political situation within the EU, there are
Western Balkans: Fast lane, slow lane | Winter 2014
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growing concerns about taking on new member states. “There are people that
overlook the benefits of enlargement and focus instead on the negative aspects,”
he noted. “Simply put, the transformative power of enlargement is huge. We will
not, however, be successful in continuing the process if we do not pay attention
to how our citizens perceive it in terms of their own experiences.”
In order for the EU’s enlargement policy to continue to move forward in the
Western Balkans, there must be effort from both sides, stressed Miroslav Lajcák,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Slovakia. “We in the EU
need to offer a tangible European perspective to our neighbours and prospective
accession candidates,” he underlined. “In return, the countries of the Western
Balkans need to demonstrate a credible effort in their accession processes.”
“We in the EU need to offer a tangible European perspective to
our neighbours and prospective accession candidates. In return,
the countries of the Western Balkans need to demonstrate a
credible effort in their accession processes.”
Miroslav Lajcák, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Slovakia
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“Enlargement policy does not exist in a vacuum,” Füle said. “The process
is constantly evolving and it is crucial that we demonstrate credibility and
sustainability throughout.”
Lessons from previous enlargement rounds have highlighted the importance of
addressing the fundamentals at the heart of the process – rule of law, reform
of the judiciary, and economic governance – and striving to demonstrate the
implementation of the chapters of the EU Acquis. “We will be measuring and
rewarding real – and not ‘tick box’ reforms,” he stressed.
While the EU improves its process, there is evidence that the countries of the
Western Balkans are likewise enhancing their efforts as regards accession. “We
are no longer hearing about enlargement fatigue or a lack of understanding,”
noted Lajcák. “Our partners in the Western Balkans are increasingly committed to
the process.” Nationalism and xenophobia have been replaced by understanding
and support of European values as well as a willingness to compromise.
“The greatest threat to freedom of the press in the Balkans is the
political and economic situation. We still have no answers to the
simple question of who owns the media.”
Olivier Basille, Director of the EU Office of Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
While negotiations for accession are notoriously technical, it is important to
remember that enlargement is a political process, he stressed. As demonstrated
by normalisation talks between Serbia and Kosovo, moving into the fast lane
towards accession requires political will and determination.
Though Serbia and Albania are moving forward and demonstrating clear political
will, much remains to be done in terms of media freedom, noted Dunja Mijatovic,
Representative on Freedom of the Media at the Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Though in the past five years, there have been
some good steps taken to improve the media freedom in the region, this process
has stagnated.
“The political environment in the Western Balkans is far from rosy,” she said. “We
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still have a long way to go before we live in countries with a free media. Politicians
need to let go of the media so that citizens can freely express themselves.
Listening to provocative and dissenting voices is essential to democracy.”
“The political environment in the Western Balkans is far from
rosy. We still have a long way to go before we live in
countries with a free media.”
Dunja Mijatovic, Representative on Freedom of the Media at the Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Neighbourhood Policy
The entrenched political interests in the media remain a challenge, stressed
Olivier Basille, Director of the EU Office of Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
“The greatest threat to freedom of the press in the Balkans is the political and
economic situation,” he stressed. “We still have no answers to the simple
question of who owns the media.”
While support for political and social reforms has visibly increased in the region,
media is still suspect. Journalists, rather than operating on a freelance basis,
remain contractually obligated to their employers, resulting in many cases in a
‘party line’ mentality.
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A prime example of these limitations is the fact that, though in principle legal
requirements allow journalists access to publicly available data, in practice, this
is rarely the case. “Journalists in the Balkans who wish to commit to professional
standards in their work are regularly shackled by the political interests in the
media.” He noted. “This failing needs to be directly addressed by the enlargement
process.”
“Journalists in the Balkans who wish to commit to professional
standards in their work are regularly shackled by the political
interests in the media.”
Olivier Basille, Director of the EU Office of Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Western Balkans: Fast lane, slow lane | Winter 2014
Looking at the bigger picture, Füle indicated, prospective accession countries in
the region should be focussing on economic affairs and governance. “Progress
towards the EU is good for business and economic growth,” he said. “We need
to make sure that candidate countries not only deliver on rule of law, but also
ensure that they are as competitive as possible by the time they join the EU.”
An economy in good shape smoothes the way for difficult political reforms
and the EU is pushing for countries to work on economic criteria and improve
economic performance as early as possible. Accomplishments in this direction
will pave the way for budget support, he stressed. To underline the importance of
these reforms, the European Commission is asking candidates and prospective
candidates to present annual comprehensive programmes aimed at improving
the functioning and productivity of economic markets.
“It is time to be bold,” concluded Füle. “As we strive to define the future of the
EU’s economic, fiscal, and political union, we need to make sure that whatever
the future may be, it remains enlargement-friendly. We want to ensure that any
willing country can be a part of the biggest project ever undertaken on our
continent.”
Strengthening the economies
of the Western Balkans
“In the coming years, the whole accession process in the region is about
economy,” stressed Goran Svilanovic, Secretary General of the Regional
Cooperation Council (RGG). “The EU member states need to present a united
message of support, with a focus on economic governance. This, more than
anything, will help us assume ownership over the enlargement process in our
region.”
While the region has seen economic growth over the last fifteen years, structural
unemployment has remained high, with over 800,000 jobs lost between 2008
and 2011, he said, adding that the average gross domestic product (GDP) of the
Western Balkans sits at approximately one third that of the EU average, using
2010 figures.
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“Structural unemployment needs to be tackled with a long-term perspective,
particularly in terms of education,” underlined Poposki. “Unless we have skilled
persons to contribute to added-value industries in the long run, we risk missing
the possibilities afforded by the accession process.”
The key message to the states of the Western Balkans is that it is necessary to
decouple the economic and political elements of the accession process and to
tackle economic reforms and growth even in the face of an uncertain political
reality, he noted.
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which has had candidate status
since 2005, has been unable to begin accession negotiations owing to a lack
of political consensus between EU member states. Economically speaking,
however, the country is doing well, with a stable currency, low debt, free trade
agreements with its neighbours, and deficit levels that fluctuate within the range
of the Maastricht criteria.
From left to right: Miodrag Kostic, President, MK Group, Goran Svilanovic, Secretary
General of the Regional Cooperation Council, and Tanja Miscevic, Head of Serbia’s
Negotiating Team for the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union
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“The problem facing the countries of the Western Balkans as prospective future
members of the EU is that the EU we will join in the future will not be the EU it is
today,” he noted, outlining three ways in which the Western Balkans are ‘chasing
a moving target’.
“The EU we will join in the future will not be the EU it is today.”
Goran Svilanovic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)
To begin with, while major reform efforts are required by candidate countries, the
EU member states are also struggling to develop and implement the best policy
mix to streamline European markets both internally and globally.
Secondly, the structure of financial assistance for candidate countries has
changed with regards to previous enlargement rounds. While structural funds
previously meant development in infrastructure and agriculture, the post-2014
Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA2) will focus more on rule of law
and institutional capacity building, with less direct impact on economic growth.
Finally, he concluded, the EU is diversifying its economic base in response to
expanding markets in Africa and Asia. These regions will provide the basis for
growth in the coming decades, leaving smaller countries unable to compete in
the scaled-up global economy.
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Strengthening the economies in the Western Balkans requires attention both
in national agendas, as well as through a regional perspective, underlined
Igor Lukšic, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European
Integration of Montenegro.
“Without economic recovery in the region, it will be more difficult to deal with the
integration agenda,” he stressed. “Building and strengthening institutions is a
more sustainable process if paralleled with economic growth.”
“Without economic recovery in the region, it will be more difficult
to deal with the integration agenda. Building and strengthening
institutions is a more sustainable
process if paralleled with economic growth.”
Igor Lukšic, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and
European Integration of Montenegro
Growth in the region prior to the economic crisis was unsustainable, he noted.
Therefore what is needed is to reinvent both national and regional approaches
to economic development. While this growth will be dependent on foreign direct
investment, the investment climate needs to be bolstered by rule of law and
judiciary reforms, as well as mechanisms for improved economic governance.
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Though political reforms are the key to sustainable development, the Western
Balkans needs to focus on growth projects in the immediate future, stressed
Lirim Muharemi, President of LM&CO, a business development and project
investment consultancy company based in Albania.
The Europort Shengjin, referred to as ‘The Eagle of the Adriatic’, is one such
project, aimed at supporting development of the entire region. While production
in various sectors – energy, construction materials, food and beverages,
among others – is present in the countries of the Western Balkans, transport
infrastructure is sorely lacking.
The port project, which will be funded through investments from the Chinese
government, will be capable of moving 60 million tonnes of goods per year,
generating savings of 550 million euros through more efficient transport costs.
“The Europort Shengjin will open the way for new developments,” he said. “It
will become a necessary logistical hub for the region and will fulfil the transport
needs of the EU.”
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This project, as well as others that are receiving funding from outside of Europe,
for example the South Stream natural gas pipeline, is cause for concern, noted
Haki Abazi, Director of Western Balkans Program, Rockefeller Brothers Fund,
during an audience intervention.
“We are trying to europeanise the Western Balkans with capital from China
and Russia,” he said, “but without a stable political landscape and respect for
European values in place, we risk losing local ownership.”
“I was hoping for interest from European investors,” Muharemi underlined. “In the
end, however, the economic situation in our countries needs to be overcome.
Whoever is able to offer jobs in the region is most welcome.”
“The economic situation in our countries needs to be overcome.
Whoever is able to offer jobs in the region is most welcome.”
Lirim Muharemi, President of LM&CO
There is a misperception about non-EU FDI in the Balkans, noted Lukšic.
“In general, our countries receive more investments from EU countries than
anywhere else,” he stressed. “Let us not forget that the EU is still the biggest
economy in the world. It is absurd that European countries are not thinking more
about investing in their immediate neighbourhood.”
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“EU accession is the name of the game in the Western Balkans,” Svilanovic
indicated. “The economic situation is worse than we think and the politicians
know this. The magnet that is the EU was strong enough in terms of Slovenia
and Croatia, and has proved to be strong enough for Serbia and Kosovo to make
peace. The EU institutions and member states need to make a concerted effort
to further support this region.”
Western Balkans: Fast lane, slow lane | Winter 2014
Strength in numbers:
iNCREASING REGIONAL
COOPERATION
There is more to be done on the regional level in the Balkans to boost reforms
and economic recovery, notably in terms of infrastructure development and
interconnectivity within the region and with the EU, noted Lukšic.
Unlocking productivity will also require cutting red tape, combating organised
crime and corruption, and unearthing the hidden protectionism that serves as a
barrier to reform. “Our economic recovery is dependent on FDI,” he said. “We
must cooperate as a region to confront the obstacles holding back our economic
recovery and send a powerful message to investors.”
“The Western Balkans still cannot be considered a region in real terms,” noted
Ditmir Bushati, Albania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. However, there are certain
common features that the countries share that could allow for more regional
cooperation:
1. The challenges facing each country in terms of promoting the rule of law;
2. economic stagnation and the need for recovery,
3. none of the Western Balkan states are considered to be functioning
market economies and,
4. the unresolved political issues that are holding back certain states.
To address these issues and build a stronger economic presence, the Western
Balkan states need to work together to integrate their markets, noted Poposki.
Fewer obstructions in cross-border trading will provide companies with the
necessary economic power to compete on a European and global scale.
“We are not the economic powerhouse of the EU,” underlined Svilanovic. “We
need a new model of regional cooperation to stimulate growth.” To this end, the
South East Europe 2020 regional growth and development strategy was agreed
upon by the governments of the Western Balkans.
The SEE 2020 outlines eleven clear objectives and targets for the region related
to growth, economy, and education. It will focus on sectors with the greatest
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potential for joint action, with the countries agreeing on pilot projects in the
tourism and food and beverage industries in 2014. Through the coordination of
the RCC, the use of cross-country resources will be pursued, including labour
mobility, skills acquisition, and new technologies.
“The Western Balkans still cannot be considered
a region in real terms.”
Ditmir Bushati, Albania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
“In the years to come, the RCC will work with countries to achieve the SEE
2020 goals,” he concluded. “What people in the region want is predictability and
a decent life. This is what they believe is coming with accession. They will be
committed as long as it reforms their lives for the better. We must not lose faith
in the EU perspective and the values at the heart of the EU.”
“Regional initiatives in the Balkans are good in principle but we need to make
better use of them,” noted Bushati. “We are simply not engaged enough with
one another to be considered a coherent region.” Opportunities for enhanced
cooperation should be supported by the EU, he said, in particular through the
enlargement process and the new IPA II that will enter into force at the beginning
of 2014.
“Advances in EU integration for any of the Western Balkan countries are to be
Western Balkans: Fast lane, slow lane | Winter 2014
considered a success for the region,” Bushati stressed. The question of Albania’s
status as a candidate country, set to be addressed at the December 2013
meeting of the European Council, could be considered a strong message about
the EU’s commitment to the whole region.
“We need to create synergies between the EU and Western Balkans,” underlined
Kostic. In terms of economic power, the region is quite small, with a combined
population of fewer than 30 million and a GDP comparable to Portugal’s.
Nonetheless, he noted, the Western Balkans as a region is a necessary economic
partner for the EU.
“If the EU wants to be more competitive in global markets, it needs to fill in the
gaps in its territory and become a truly united Europe,” he concluded. “From a
logistics point of view, it needs geographical unity and we are a part of this.”
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an overview of the
enlargement process in the
western balkans
The past year has reinvigorated the enlargement process in the Western Balkans,
with Croatia’s accession to the EU as the 28th member state, successful
normalisation talks between Serbia and Kosovo, and the recommendation from
the European Commission regarding Albania’s status as a candidate for EU
accession.
While not all the Western Balkan states have a clear and certain path towards
EU accession, optimism in the process is high throughout the region. Though
Speakers meet between sessions
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some – Croatia, Serbia, Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro – are moving forward
in their accession process, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and
Bosnia and Herzegovina are still struggling to find solutions to remaining political
obstacles
Croatia
Even though Croatia is now a member of the EU, the real challenges lie ahead,
noted Bojan Fras, Vice-Governor of the Croatian National Bank. “The negotiation
chapters are a recipe book on how to assemble legislation but without clear
indications on how to effectively implement these changes in everyday life,” he
said.
“The negotiation chapters are a recipe book on how to assemble
legislation but without clear indications on how to effectively
implement these changes in everyday life.”
Bojan Fras, Vice-Governor of the Croatian National Bank
In Croatia, there is still room for improvement of democratic processes and
ensuring legal certainty and efficiency. These last points – ensuring that laws are
applied the same way in every situation and in a timely fashion – are prerequisites
for creating a friendly environment for business and entrepreneurship, he
indicated.
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“Given that Croatia joined the EU during a time of crisis, we have yet to see any
specifically positive impacts of our membership,” he concluded. “Improvements
are happening gradually but most importantly, the EU’s legal, economic, and
conceptual frameworks lend legitimacy to the forward-looking forces in our
society.”
Serbia
The inter-governmental conference on the opening of Serbia’s accession
negotiations is set to be held by January 2014 at the latest. Following the
normalisation talks between Belgrade and Pristina, the outlook is good for Serbia
opening the chapters of the Acquis, noted Füle. “At this point,” he stressed,
“the fate of Serbia’s accession negotiations is up to the member states. The
European Commission will be ready for the inter-governmental conference,
when the date is chosen.”
In September 2013, Serbia began screening exercises to determine how to
best go about implementing the EU Acquis, indicated Tanja Miscevic, Head
of Serbia’s Negotiating Team for the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the
Co-moderators (from left to right): Giles Merritt, Secretary General of Friends of Europe, Stefan
Gehrold, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) European Office, and Tim Judah, Western
Balkans Correspondent for The Economist
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European Union. “We are not starting the accession process from the bottom,”
she stressed. “While our political issues have delayed us from meeting EU
standards, we expect to be functioning at full speed on delivering on the Acquis
by the end of 2012.”
“While our political issues have delayed us from meeting
EU standards, we expect to be functioning at full speed on
delivering on the Acquis by the end of 2012.”
Tanja Miscevic, Head of Serbia’s Negotiating Team for the
Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union
Importantly, she noted, there is an understanding in the Serbian government
that the reform process is a necessity for the country outside of EU accession.
“Rule of law and economic reform is important for our citizens first and only then
as a means to join the EU,” she said. “We are creating a process that includes
representatives from civil society, with the aim of leaving our difficult past behind
and becoming a full-fledged, normal, and ‘boring’ EU country.”
Albania
“Albania is walking the walk of the EU integration process,” noted Bushati. With
a decision from the European Council forthcoming on granting the country
candidate status, preparations are already underway in Tirana to tackle chapters
23 and 24 of the EU Acquis, those dealing with judiciary reforms and the rule of
law.
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The prospect of becoming a candidate country has had the desired effect of
meeting the necessary conditions for Albania to move forward in the accession
process, Füle said. Following the successful parliamentary elections earlier in
2013, the new government has made progress on combating organised crime
and corruption.
“Granting candidate status is a political decision and not linked to any clearly
defined criteria,” he stressed. “I hope the member states will take into account
the great advances Albania has made in the last year, as candidate status would
go a long way towards encouraging further reform efforts.”
“We are on a sustainable track and would be happy to receive a positive sign
that we should continue in this direction,” underlined Bushati. “It would also be a
strong message for the entire region and enhance credibility in the enlargement
process.”
“We are on a sustainable track and would
be happy to receive a positive sign that we
should continue in this direction.”
Ditmir Bushati, Albania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
The former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been a candidate for accession
to the EU since 2005 and has been repeatedly blocked from opening accession
negotiations in large part because of the conflict with Greece over the name
issue. While the European Commission has repeatedly recommended that
accession negotiations be opened, the member states have continued to push
the decision back, noted Füle.
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“In the case of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Commission has
offered a new approach to neighbourhood relations, including the name issue,”
he said. “It is a pity that this has not been taken up by the member states.”
“In order to move forward on the name issue, more guidance is needed from
the European Council,” stressed Doris Pack MEP, Member of the European
Parliament Delegation for Relations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
“In order to move forward on the name issue, more guidance is
needed from the European Council. We have made the process
more political, so it is time to begin acting politically.”
Doris Pack MEP, Member of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Albania,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo
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Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo. “We have made the process more political, so
it is time to begin acting politically.”
Kosovo
Following the improved relations between Kosovo and Serbia, Kosovo is
demonstrating good reform efforts, including negotiations for the Stability and
Association Agreement, noted Füle
“We should demonstrate to the Kosovars who have suffered for so long that
they can move forward towards the EU,” stressed Pack. “While there are still
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dissenting voices among the member states, the first step will be to implement a
visa liberalisation regime for the country.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The main issue blocking Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession bid is the infamous
Sejdic/Finci case brought before the European Court of Human Rights. The
Bosnian constitution states that the Bosnian tri-partite presidency must be
composed of members from the three main ethnic groups – Bosniak, Serb, and
Croat – and nobody else, noted Judah.
“Bosnia is suffering under circumstances that are not of
their making.They find themselves in a situation where
they must force democracy and equality on a constitution
based on ethnic division.”
Doris Pack MEP, Member of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Albania,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo
“Bosnia is suffering under circumstances that are not of their making,” Pack
underlined. “They find themselves in a situation where they must force democracy
and equality on a constitution based on ethnic division. This is not the biggest
problem in the country but it is the one that can be solved with interventions from
the EU.”
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Friends of Europe | Future of Europe
Following extensive negotiations with the parties involved, there has been tentative
agreement on the ten defining principles for the base of the electoral model
to determine the composition of the presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
noted Füle. The only remaining issue in these negotiations is how to introduce a
deterrent and guarantees against vote rigging, he added.
Montenegro
Montenegro, which launched its accession negotiations in June 2012, has been
deeply involved in its EU integration agenda, noted Lukšic. “By the end of 2013,
we will open chapters 23 and 24 of the Community Acquis, and deliver on our
track record on the ground,” he said.
“Unless there is economic recovery in the region, it will be quite difficult
to deal with integration. We are seeking a more sustainable process,
paralleled with economic growth.”
Igor Lukšic, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and
European Integration of Montenegro
Western Balkans: Fast lane, slow lane | Winter 2014
Though optimistic that the country will be ready to join the EU within the next
ten years, he noted that “unless there is economic recovery in the region, it will
be quite difficult to deal with integration. We are seeking a more sustainable
process, paralleled with economic growth.”
cONCLUSION
The countries in the Western Balkans have been gaining momentum in the
EU accession process. With positive signs appearing throughout 2013 that
enlargement fatigue is a thing of the past, many of the region’s governments
are making significant progress towards overcoming their political and economic
obstacles and moving closer to alignment with EU policies and values.
“Last year was a good year for the Balkans,” concluded Lajcák. “EU integration
is the only game in town but it is important to remember that enlargement is a
political process. The balance between politics and the more technical aspects
of enlargement must be maintained.”
Enlargement policy is no less important from the EU’s perspective and 2014 may
prove to be a milestone year for it, with European Parliament elections set for
May and the beginning of the new European semester, Füle said.
“It is time to be bold,” he concluded. “We must be bold to define the future face
of the EU and to participate in the discussion to ensure that whatever the future
of the EU is, it is enlargement-friendly.”
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Friends of Europe | Future of Europe
Western Balkans: Fast lane, slow lane | Winter 2014
Annex I – Programme
SESSION I
Keeping up the momentum of reform
Ten years after the Thessaloniki summit opened the way for EU accession, some
countries in the Western Balkans are now in the fast lane, and others are still in
the slow lane. The region is trying hard to meet EU standards for democracy,
human rights and the rule of law, and national parliaments have begun to exercise
more power, Albania has held parliamentary elections that international observers
say show a “genuine respect for fundamental freedoms”, and Kosovo and Serbia
have taken giant strides in normalising relations. As the EU shifts its focus from
stabilisation to association, the spotlight is on questions like strengthening the rule of
law and border control, fighting corruption, organized crime and illegal migration and
securing respect for human rights, minorities and media freedom. Most countries in
the region still have much to learn about consensus building, ensuring transparent
political dialogue, building a solid public administration and an impartial and efficient
judicial system. How can these issues be addressed more effectively? What can be
done to improve freedom of expression and freedom of media? Is enough being
done to encourage regional cooperation and reconciliation in the Western Balkans?
Does the EU continue to have influence over developments in the region and what
progress has been made by countries in meeting EU membership standards?
Štefan Füle
EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy
Olivier Basille
Director of the EU Office of Reporters Without
Borders (RSF)
Ditmir Bushati
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Albania
Miroslav Lajcák
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign
and European Affairs of Slovakia
Dunja Mijatovic
Representative on Freedom of the Media
at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE) (2009-2012)
Tanja Miscevic
Head of Serbia’s Negotiating Team for the Accession
of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union
Doris Pack MEP
Member of the European Parliament Delegation
for Relations with Albania, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo
Co-moderated by Giles Merritt, Secretary General of Friends of Europe, and Tim
Judah, Western Balkans Correspondent for The Economist
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Friends of Europe | Future of Europe
SESSION II
Getting economic recovery back on course
The Western Balkan economies have been badly battered by the eurozone
crisis and the global economic slowdown. Unemployment in the region is above
25 %, and agricultural production is down due to bad weather conditions, poor
infrastructure, lack of skilled labour and inadequate investments, prompting a rise in
food prices. Drought conditions have also meant hydropower shortages aggravating
the region’s insufficient energy production. The region has yet to put in place policies,
institutions and the infrastructure needed for reliable, affordable and sustainable
energy. Strengthening regional cooperation and integration - and the establishment
of a Western Balkans single market – are also important prerequisites for the overall
stability and prosperity of the region. But the picture isn’t universally grim, with
improvements in the business environment, a strengthening of financial sectors and
increased investor interest in the region. Are governments doing enough to further
improve the investment climate, reduce fiscal deficits and public debts, assure rule
of law conditions and transparent procurement procedures and introduce structural
reforms to encourage greater productivity, competitiveness and high value-added
exports that will create jobs? Is, across the region, government funding able to
stimulate active employment, and how effective are efforts to attract more foreign
investors? How sustainable is economic recovery in the Western Balkan countries
likely to be?
Bojan Fras
Vice-Governor of the Croatian National Bank
Miodrag Kostic
President, MK Group
Igor Lukšic
Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
and European Integration of Montenegro
Lirim Muharemi
President, LM&CO
Nikola Poposki
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia
Goran Svilanovic Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation
Council (RCC)
Co-moderated by Stefan Gehrold, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS)
European Office and Tim Judah, Western Balkans Correspondent for The Economist
Western Balkans: Fast lane, slow lane | Winter 2014
39
ANNEX I – List of Participants
Dejan Anastasijevic, Correspondent, Tanjug News
Agency
Robertas Bruzilas, Counsellor, Permanent
Representation of Lithuania to the EU
Sanja Bulatovic, Adviser, Committee on European
Integration, National Parliament, Montenegro
Danijlel Apostolovic, First Secretary, Mission of
Serbia to the EU
Anna Claire Bullock, Policy Officer - Policies outside
the EU, European Investment Bank (EIB)
Tozoj Arta, Journalist, Top Channel, Albanian TV
Artur Bushati, Second Secretary, Mission of Albania
to the EU
Haki Abazi, Director of Western Balkans Program,
Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Iva Babic, Student, College of Europe
Erisa Bajaziti, Co-founder, Orchid Media
Feliksas Bakanauskas,Third Secretary, Permanent
Representation of Lithuania to the EU
Tomasz Banka, Secretary of Delegation for South
East-Europe, European Parliament
Olivier Basille, Director of the EU Office of Reporters
Without Borders, Reporters Without Borders (RSF),
International Secretariat
Jan Bäverström, Information Specialist, European
Parliament
Dragan Blagojevic, Brussels Correspondent, Serbian
BETA News Agency
Ferruccio Bogo, Policy Coordinator, Enlargement
Strategy, European Commission, Directorate General
for Enlargement
Ditmir Bushati, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Albania
Hrvoje Butigan, Representative, Dubrovnik - Neretva
County Office
Sasa Butorac, Trainee, European Parliament
Karolina Buzaliko, Junior Programme Manager,
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Miroslava Cániová, Defence Adviser, Politico-Military
Group (PMG), ATHENA, Special Committee EUNATO Capability Group, ESDC Steering Committee,
Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic to
the EU
Andrea Cellino, Director of Policy and Planning,
OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Gregor Boltar, Partner & Co-Owner, Kapital Invest
Bratislav Ceperkovic, Special Adviser to the Prime
Minister for EU Integration and Foreign Affairs,
Government of Serbia, Office for European Integration
Cristina Borreguero, European External Action
Service (EEAS)
Soumya Chandrashekharachari, Second Secretary,
Embassy of India to Belgium
Stanislava Bouman, Programme Coordinator "Learn
Serbian", Serbian Institute for Public Diplomacy
Anastasia Christofilopoulou, Press Attaché,
Embassy of Greece to Belgium
Biljana Braithwaite, Legal Consultant, The AIRE
Centre
Philippe Claeys, Advisor, European Government
Sector PricewaterhouseCoopers
Adrian-Cristian Bratu, Permanent Representative to
the PSC, Permanent Representation of Romania to
the EU
Ethan Corbinn, Director, DSC NATO Parliamentary
Assembly (NATO PA)
Oleg Bredikhin, Counsellor, Mission of the Russian
Federation to the EU
Marek Brencic, Enlargement Advisor, Permanent
Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU
Robert Cox, Trustee, Friends of Europe, Les Amis de
l'Europe
Carlo Alberto Cuoco, Analyst, North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO), Supreme Headquarters Allied
Powers Europe (SHAPE)
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Friends of Europe | Future of Europe
Jelena Cupina, Deputy Secretary, Centre for
International Economic Relations, Belgrade Chamber
of Commerce
Bojan Fras, Vice-Governor, Croatian National Bank
Darko Dalan, Project Manager, LM-Europort
Stanislav Daskalov, Head of the Brussels Liaison
Office, Regional Cooperation Council
Nathalie Furrer, Director, Friends of Europe, Les Amis
de l'Europe
Dusan Gajic, Journalist, TV and Radio Serbia
Igor Davidovic, Ambassador, Mission of Bosnia and
Herzegovina to the EU
Boris Gandel, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign and
European Affairs, Slovakia
Philippe de Marchant, Manager, Termico Radiant
Heating Systems
Carole Garnier, Head of Unit, Candidate and
Pre-Candidate Countries, European Commission,
Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs
Thomas Dedeurwaerdere, Policy Specialist,
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
Representation Office in Brussels
Štefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and
Neighbourhood Policy, European Commission
Shpetim Gashi, Vice President, Council for Inclusive
Governance (CIG)
Elona Dedi, First Secretary, Mission of Albania to the
EU
Arben Gazioni, Minister Counsellor, Mission of
Albania to the EU
Bogdan Deleanu, Assistant, European Parliament,
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Stefan Gehrold, Director, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
(KAS), European Office
Gisela Derrick, International Officer, Institution of
Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
Berry Gelder, President, Interpartners
Communications
Tommaso Diegoli, Trainee, European Commission
Giedre Gelezeviciene, COWEB Delegate, Permanent
Representation of Lithuania to the EU
Dina Djordjevic, Student, University of Belgrade
Faculty of Political Sciences
Stefano Dotto, Policy Co-ordinator, Economic
Development Desk Officer, Kosovo Issues Unit,
European Commission, Directorate General for
Enlargement
Ruaidhri Dowling, Enlargement Policy, Permanent
Representation of Ireland to the EU
Elena Georgievska, Head of Unit in the Minister's
Cabinet, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Rachele Gianfranchi, Managing Director,
Cinquantenaire Partners
Nisida Gjoksi, Trainee, European Commission
Katarina Drlja, Correspondent, Aljazeera Balkans
Ljupco Gjorginski, Senior Adviser, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Andrej Droba, Director of the Cabinet of the Minister,
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Slovakia
Dejan Gjorsoshi, Advisor, European External Action
Service (EEAS)
Erol Ekizkuyu, Trade Expert, Permanent Delegation of
Turkey to the European Union
Sebastien Godinot, Economist, World Wide Fund for
Nature (WWF), European Policy Office
Dino Elezovic, Head of Office, Sarajevo Canton
Representation Office
Alex Grigorev, President, Council for Inclusive
Governance (CIG)
Maja Ferlinc, Senior Advisor, Slovenian Business and
Research Association (SBRA)
Gian Marco Grindatto,Trainee, European
Commission
Ian Forrester, Lawyer & Partner, White & Case
Marion Guilcher, Student, Université de Rennes I
Despina Fragoulopoulou, Political Affairs and
Security Policy Division Officer, North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO), Headquarters (HQ)
Mustafa Halilovic, Minister, Counsellor, Mission of
Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EU
Western Balkans: Fast lane, slow lane | Winter 2014
41
Lendita Haxhitasim, First Secretary, Embassy of
Kosovo to Belgium
Svetlana Katnic, First Secretary, Mission of
Montenegro to the EU
Alexandre Henon, Student, Université de Rennes I
Daniel Keck, Assistant, Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Brigitte Heuel-Rolf, Regional Director for Western
Balkan, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Mario Hirsch
Alexander Holroyd, Consultant, FTI Consulting
Belgium
Stylianos Hourmouziadis, Cousellor, COWEB,
Permanent Representation of Greece to the EU
Andi Hoxhaj, PhD Student, University of Warwick
Matjaž Hribar, Managing Director & Partner, Pristop
Europe
Anna Ibrisagic, Member, European Parliament,
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Ivan Ilic, Journalist, Radio Television of Vojvodina
Frymëzim Isufaj, Senior Political Advisor to the
Minister, Ministry of Economic Development, Kosovo
Zeljko Ivancevic, Director, European & Corporate
Strategy (ECS), Brussels
Ivana Jakovljevic, Fellow, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
(VUB)
Ante Jankovic, Trainee, Fondation Robert Schuman,
Brussels office
Sonya Jetcheva, Researcher independent
Tamara Jojic, Marketing Adviser, MK Group
Allan Jones, International Relations Officer, Croatia
Unit, European Commission, Directorate General for
Enlargement
Natasa Jovovic, Chief of Cabinet, Office of the Prime
Minister, Montenegro
Rikard Jozwiak, Brussels Correspondent, Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty
Timothy Judah, Western Balkans Correspondent,
The Economist
Ivailo Georgiev Kalfin, Vice Chairman, European
Parliament, Committee on Budgets
Klodiana Karaj, Second Secretary, Mission of Albania
to the EU
Daniel Kern, Adviser Legal and Trade Affairs, Verband
Deutscher Maschinen und Anlagenbau (VDMA)
Andrzej Kindziuk, Analyst, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Poland
Barbora Kocianova, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
(KAS), European Office
Kasia Kolanko, Project Consultant, APCO Worldwide
Brussels Office
Maria Koleva, Special Correspondent, New Bulgarian
Media Group Holding (NBMG)
Lea Koltzer, Student, Université de Rennes I
Ivan Korcok, Ambassador, Permanent
Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU
Erich Korzinek, Director, Representation of
Steiermark to the EU
Alenka Kosir, Director for Western Balkans and
Enlargement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Slovenia
Jelena Kosoric, Secretary, Court of Honour, Belgrade
Chamber of Commerce
Miodrag Kostic, President, MK Group
Marko Kovacevic, Advisor, Chamber of Commerce
and Industry, Serbia
Alison Koweth, Student, Université de Rennes I
Ingrid Kressel, First Secretary, COWEB, COAFR,
Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU
Eduard Kukan, Chairman, European Parliament,
Delegation for Relations with the Countries of South
East Europe
Arda Kuran, Consultant, GPlus Europe
Miroslav Lajcák, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Foreign and European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign
and European Affairs, Slovakia
Ivan Lekovic, Ambassador, Mission of Montenegro
to the EU
Andrej Lepavcov, Ambassador, Head of Mission,
Mission of the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia to the EU
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Friends of Europe | Future of Europe
Pavle Licina, Administrator, Committee of the
Regions
Svetlana Milevska Jovanovska, Journalist, Nova
Makedonija
Marina Lopicic, Journalist, Kurir
Gordana Milosevic, Counsellor, Mission of Bosnia
and Herzegovina to the EU
Juliette Loppé, Advisor, Association of
European Chambers of Commerce & Industry
(EUROCHAMBRES)
Igor Lukšic, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Office of the
Prime Minister, Montenegro
Eva Lutzmann, EU Affairs Manager, British Council
Boro Milovic, Director, Infomont
Tanja Miscevic, Head of Serbia’s Negotiating Team
for the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the
European Union, Government of Serbia
Ragnar Mägi, Founding President, Recap
Peter Mišík, PSC Ambassador, Permanent
Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU
Maria Mitic, Trainee, European Commission
Jovana Majstorovic, Deputy Secretary General,
Belgrade Chamber of Commerce
Beno Modok, Third Secretary, Permanent
Representation of Hungary to the EU
Marina Maksimovic, Journalist, Deutsche Welle
Denis I. Moskalenko, First Secretary, Mission of the
Russian Federation to NATO
Ivona Malbasic, PhD Student, Central European
University
Lirim Muharemi, President, LM-Europort
Naim Mandri, First Secretary, Mission of Albania to
the EU
Vjosa Musliu, PhD Student, Gent University, Faculty
of Political and Social Sciences
Lauriane Mariame, Intern, European Economic and
Social Committee (EESC), Western Balkans, Contact
Group
Malin Myhrman, Knowledge Manager, Edelman|The
Centre
Sanja Marinkovic, Project Manager, European
Commission, Directorate General for Enlargement
Frane Maroevic, Senior Adviser, Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Office of
the Representation on Freedom of the Media
Barbora Maronkova, Information Officer, North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Headquarters
(HQ)
Katarina Martic, Deputy Editor, Kurir
Dragica Martinovic, Director, Croatian Chamber of
Economy, Brussels Office
Shun Matsushima, Second Secretary, Mission of
Japan to the EU
Henri Meiche, Student Université de Rennes I
Giles Merritt, Secretary General, Friends of Europe,
Les Amis de l'Europe
Dunja Mijatovic, Representative on Freedom of the
Media Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE), Office of the Representation on
Freedom of the Media
Joanna Nahorska, Trainee, European Movement
International
Ilir Nezaj, Counsellor, Mission of Albania to the EU
Silviya Nitsova, Trainee, European Commission
Willem Noë, Senior Administrator, European
Commission, Directorate General for Enlargement
Boban Nonkovikj, Brussels Correspondent,
Macedonian Information Agency (MIA)
Doris Pack, Chairwoman, European Parliament,
Committee on Culture and Education
Alan Paic, Head of the OECD Investment Compact
for South East Europe, Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD), Investment
Compact for South-East Europe
Marton Palmai, Brussels Representative, MOL
Hungarian Oil and Gas Corporation
Peter Pavlovic, Study Secretary, Conference of
European Churches
Ivana Petricevic, Project Manager, Institution Building,
European Commission, Directorate General for
Enlargement
Western Balkans: Fast lane, slow lane | Winter 2014
Zamira Poda, MBA Student, ENPC School of
International Business Management
Marek Podhorecki, President, The United StatesEuropean Union Government Initiatives Foundation
Victoria Popescu, Second Secretary, COWEB,
Permanent Representation of Romania to the EU
Nikola Poposki, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia
Gordana Popovic, Research Programme and
Scientific Officer, European Research Council
Executive Agency (ERCEA)
Léo Poulmarc'h, Masters Student, Université de
Rennes I, Faculté de droit et de science politique
Michel Povuk, Western Balkans, European External
Action Service (EEAS)
Lazar Prodanovic, Member, House of
Representatives, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Constitutional-Legal Committee
Slaven Radunovic, President of the Committee
on European Integration, National Parliament,
Montenegro
Dusan Reljic, Head of Office, Stiftung Wissenschaft
und Politik (SWP), German Institute for International
and Security Affairs
Jasmina Risteska, Associate, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Alex Routledge, National Expert in Professional
Training, European Commission, Directorate General
for Enlargement
Louise Rowntree, Director, Rowntree & Associates
Lina Ruksteliene, Head of Division for EU
Enlargement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lithuania,
European Affairs Department
Ines Sabalic, Head, Representation Office of the City
of Zagreb to the EU
Maria Luisa Sanchez Bellerin, Official, European
Commission, Directorate General for Enlargement
Vivien Savoye, Junior Fellow, European Stability
Initiative (ESI)
Gudrun Scheffer, Project Manager, Montenegro,
Iceland, European Commission, Directorate General
for Enlargement
43
Yves Schmidt, Director, Caritas, Luxembourg
Hanni Schoelermann, Associate Economist,
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Patrick Schünemann, Trainee, European
Commission
Nenad Sebek, Executive Director, Center for
Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe
(CDSEE)
Natasa Sebenik, Adviser, Enlargement, COWEB,
Permanent Representation of Slovenia to the EU
Nina Sehovic, Assistant to MEP Doris Pack,
European Parliament, Committee on Culture and
Education
Juraj Sevella, Assistant to Eduard Kukan MEP,
European Parliament
Kader Sevinc, Head of Office, Turkish Social
Democratic Party (CHP)
Miranda Sidran, Minister, Counsellor, Mission of
Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EU
Goda Sileikaite, Trainee, European Commission
Chiara Spegni, Journalist, ANSA (Italian News
Agency)
Andrea Stajic, First Secretary, European Affairs Fund
of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, European
Office
Darko Stancic, Assistant Director, Geneva Centre for
the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)
Milos Stanojevic, Project Manager, Montgomery
Watson Harza
Luka Steric, Student, University of Belgrade Faculty
of Political Sciences
Aleksandra Stojanovic, Chief of Cabinet, MK Group
Dragan Stojovic, Counsellor, Mission of Serbia to the
EU
Ineta Strautina, Deputy Director, Directorate
for Translation, European Economic and Social
Committee (EESC)
Marcel Franz Sumper, Financial Officer, LM-Europort
M. Sureyya Suner, Chief Commercial, Counsellor,
Mission of Turkey to the EU
Goran Svilanovic, Secretary General, Regional
Cooperation Council
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Zia Syed, First Secretary - Head of Balkans/
Enlargement unit, Mission of the United States of
America to the EU
Garret Tankosic-Kelly, Founder and Coordinator
South East Europe Change Network (SEE Change
Net)
Jovan Tegovski, Chief of Staff Regional Cooperation
Council
Ilir Tepelena, Ambassador, Embassy of Albania to
Belgium
Thomas Benedikt Thaler, MEP Assisant, European
Parliament
Victor Tilea, Administrator, Commission for
Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External
Affairs (CIVEX), Committee of the Regions
Dragan Tilev, Minister Counselor, Mission of the
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the EU
Lidija Topic, Advisor, Regional Cooperation Council
Laura Trimajova, Assistant to Eduard Kukan MEP,
European Parliament
Bisera Turkovic, Ambassador, Embassy of Bosnia
and Herzegovina to Belgium and to NATO
Hana Umezawa, Visiting Researcher, United
Nations University, Institute on Comparative Regional
Integration Studies
Guy Van Haeverbeke, Honorary Secretary General &
Member of the Board, Trans European Policy Studies
Association (TEPSA)
Robin Van Nuffel, Cameraman & Editor, Aljazeera
Balkans
Bart van Winsen, Chairman of Task force CDA-CDU
Euregios, Christen Democratisch Appèl (CDA), The
Netherlands
Pirro Vengu, Director of the Cabinet of the Minister,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Albania
Silke Voigt, Trainee, Council of the European Union
Denitsa Vuzeva, Trainee, Regional Cooperation
Council
Monika Walczak, Counsellor, Enlargement,
Permanent Representation of Poland to the EU
Laurie Walker, Balkans Officer & Enlargement
Coordinator, North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO), Headquarters (HQ)
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Julia Wanninger, Adviser to Knut Fleckenstein MEP,
European Parliament
Olaf Wientzek, Research, Associate KonradAdenauer-Stiftung (KAS), European Office
Aiichiro Yamamoto, Associate Fellow &
Representative of JICA to the EU, Friends of Europe,
Les Amis de l'Europe
Zeljana Zovko, Advisor, Council of Ministers, Bosnia
and Herzegovina
Gordana Zrnic, Director, Chamber of Commerce and
Industry of Serbia, Brussels Office
Rasa Zukaite, Assistant, Republika Srpska, Regional
Representation
Erisa Zykaj, Jounalist, Klan Albanian Television
Western Balkans: Fast lane, slow lane | Winter 2014
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