In the next EU political cycle, the enlargement process will face new challenges. If, as many forecast, the impending elections result in a rightward shift of the European Parliament, this shift is likely to frame the political debate on enlargement in Brussels in more polarizing and securitized terms. The Strategic Agenda 2024–2029, which will define priorities for the next European Commission, is currently being finalized by EU leaders and European Council President Charles Michel. It is expected to emphasize other policy areas such as global competitiveness and defense. In this online edition of our “Balkan Breakfast” series, we will discuss the future of EU enlargement in this context.
Meanwhile, the member states of the EU-27 are close to an agreement on the formal negotiation frameworks for Ukraine and Moldova that would allow their membership talks to start by the end of June. We will also discuss the impact that might have on the more advanced accession countries of the Western Balkans. Furthermore, we will address growing concerns and possible responses on the EU level to the ongoing regional destabilization in the aftermath of the United Nation’s recent resolution to adopt July 11 as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica.
Speakers:
Manuel Sarrazin, Special Representative of the German Federal Government for the Countries of the Western Balkans
Maja Kocijančič, Foreign Policy Advisor, Cabinet of the President of the European Council Charles Michel
Sébastien Maillard, Special Advisor at Centre Grand Europe, Jacques Delors Institute
Moderator: Milan Nič, Senior Fellow, Center for Order and Governance in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, DGAP
This event will be held in English under the Chatham House Rule.