The future of the Western Balkans is an issue that is moving swiftly up the European agenda. But rising instability, territorial disputes and ethnic rivalries mean many in Europe fear a return to war and conflict in the region. Democracy, peace and stability, as well economic development and integration in the Western Balkans, depends not only on the policies and actions of national governments but on regional, municipal and city authorities. But with the Western Balkan states now clearly at a crossroads between EU accession and maintaining the status quo, it isn’t clear which course these decision-makers will take. European Commissioner Johannes Hahn will be the key speaker at Friends of Europe’s annual European Policy Summit “Western Balkans at a Crossroads – New challenges, changing dynamics”. More information is available here.
Source: Friends of Europe