The Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference, held on 24 May in Ljubljana, brought together EESC members, Slovenian officials, and civil society representatives from the Western Balkans, including BCSDN representatives. The event facilitated exchanges on necessary reforms in the Western Balkans and the EU to uphold the enlargement policy as a key EU success. Discussions also focused on the current state of civil society in the region and the need for better inclusion in the accession process, as well as in the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. Participants adopted conclusions emphasizing a merit-based EU accession process with increased financial support, robust conditionality, and active involvement of civil society. Key points included the need for transparency, regional cooperation, and resolving political disputes to ensure successful integration and public support in the Western Balkans. Ahead of the conference, BCSDN urged the EESC to reconsider Kosovo’s exclusion from the Enlargement Candidate Members Initiative, a need emphasized during the event. Read more about the conference here.
Source: EESC/ BCSDN