Albania: The Flamingo Revolution explained
Jessica Hendrick welcomes Enri Hide and Ditmir Bushati to discuss how the protest movement drawing in local communities, Trump-linked investors, EU enlargement officials and international media took flight
Western Balkans
America’s “direct return” doctrine—and what it means for the world
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United States is focused on doing business, at the expense of peace. There are ways for Europeans to acquire a veto over these destabilising activities; but the Trump administration may yet replicate this approach across the globe
Why the EU should use Kosovo’s election to advance its goals in the Western Balkans
Kosovo remains at odds with Serbia—and the EU. The outcome of the country’s imminent election could allow the EU to transform relations between the countries and open the door to Kosovo’s accession
A double bind: How unrest and geopolitics could end Serbia’s government
Mass protests are destabilising Aleksandar Vucic’s rule and his “à la carte” foreign policy positioning. As Serbia’s president faces his toughest challenge yet, the EU should seize the moment to support democratic change and regional stability
Balka-Seltzer: How to avoid excess gas in the Western Balkans
The Western Balkans could enact a comprehensive energy transition straight from coal to renewables – but the region seems to be drifting towards greater use of gas. It is in both the EU’s and the Western Balkans’ interest to mitigate this trend
Climate of connection: The Western Balkans, the EU, and the value of transport
The EU can work with existing regional integration mechanisms in the Western Balkans to help cut carbon emissions through transport investment
America first, Europe next: Trump will change dynamics in Western Balkan security
With US involvement waning, Europe faces a critical test in securing the Western Balkans. Renewed EU commitment could transform its neighbourhood and bolster its security
Riding the wave: How Albania can make the most of its EU moment
Albania has begun talks to become an EU member state. Successful accession could restore credibility in the enlargement process for Western Balkan and eastern European candidate countries – while offering enhanced political and economic stability for Albania
28
Nov
European Power
Countering disinformation as a global challenge
This international conference discusses the main aspects of disinformation as a global challenge. It has been organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Rome in cooperation with the Embassy of Estonia in Rome; the Embassy of Republic of Latvia in Rome; the Embassy of Republic of Lithuania in Rome; the Embassy…
12
Dec
Wider Europe
Taking stock of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process
On 12 December, the German Embassy in Washington DC and the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) will host a public discussion which will take stock of the dialogue process to date and will examine the future prospect for a swift solution to the dispute in order to contribute to the peace and stability…
Publications
Balka-Seltzer: How to avoid excess gas in the Western Balkans
The Western Balkans could enact a comprehensive energy transition straight from coal to renewables – but the region seems to be drifting towards greater use of gas. It is in both the EU’s and the Western Balkans’ interest to mitigate this trend
The politics of dialogue: How the EU can change the conversation in Kosovo and Serbia
A new agreement between Kosovo and Serbia is a welcome step – but the EU can transform the situation by setting out clearer accession prospects for both countries
The past and the furious: How Russia’s revisionism threatens Bosnia
Russia is working to keep Bosnia divided. But many of the country’s problems are homegrown or exacerbated by neighbouring states
Decade of patience: How China became a power in the Western Balkans
As European and US ambivalence towards the Western Balkans persists, the region will be in increasing danger of falling into an endless spiral of competition between various foreign actors
Bosnia to war, to Dayton, and to its slow peace
It will be difficult to sustain progress for Bosnia or the region without a credible and clear EU accession process
Viral vulnerability: How the pandemic is making democracy sick in the Western Balkans
The covid-19 crisis has accentuated Western Balkans countries’ pre-existing vulnerabilities – but has not brought about a new political era in the region
Hostage state: How to free Bosnia from Dayton’s paralysing grip
Restoring independence to the judiciary and strengthening the rule of law are key to the country’s future stability and success
The power of perspective: Why EU membership still matters in the Western Balkans
The EU should demonstrate its commitment to the Western Balkans by encouraging countries there to resolve their outstanding disputes
From myth to reality: How to understand Turkey’s role in the Western Balkans
Introduction In October 2017, the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, made an official visit to Serbia. It was not the first time a…
Luck like the Irish: How emigration can be good for the Western Balkans
Introduction Few parts of Europe are more marked by emigration than the Western Balkans.[1] Yet despite many decades of its people leaving…
Articles
America’s “direct return” doctrine—and what it means for the world
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United States is focused on doing business, at the expense of peace. There are ways for Europeans to acquire a veto over these destabilising activities; but the Trump administration may yet replicate this approach across the globe
Why the EU should use Kosovo’s election to advance its goals in the Western Balkans
Kosovo remains at odds with Serbia—and the EU. The outcome of the country’s imminent election could allow the EU to transform relations between the countries and open the door to Kosovo’s accession
A double bind: How unrest and geopolitics could end Serbia’s government
Mass protests are destabilising Aleksandar Vucic’s rule and his “à la carte” foreign policy positioning. As Serbia’s president faces his toughest challenge yet, the EU should seize the moment to support democratic change and regional stability
Climate of connection: The Western Balkans, the EU, and the value of transport
The EU can work with existing regional integration mechanisms in the Western Balkans to help cut carbon emissions through transport investment
America first, Europe next: Trump will change dynamics in Western Balkan security
With US involvement waning, Europe faces a critical test in securing the Western Balkans. Renewed EU commitment could transform its neighbourhood and bolster its security
Riding the wave: How Albania can make the most of its EU moment
Albania has begun talks to become an EU member state. Successful accession could restore credibility in the enlargement process for Western Balkan and eastern European candidate countries – while offering enhanced political and economic stability for Albania
Finding friends: Europe, Serbia, and the lithium catalyst
A new EU agreement on lithium could improve aspects of governance in Serbia – if the bloc makes the most of this new partnership with Belgrade
Cultivating enlargement: How a green win in the European Parliament election could help the Western Balkans
The EU’s green agenda is threatened by a predicted surge to the far-right in the upcoming European Parliament election. Against this, mainstream candidates should remind voters that climate policy is not only necessary for decarbonisation, but an essential tool for EU enlargement
Separate to integrate: EU enlargement and the trouble with bilateral disputes
That EU enlargement is a geopolitical imperative is no longer in doubt. But to make enlargement happen, the EU may need to decouple bilateral disputes from the accession process
Depopulation blues: How immigration can counter emigration in the Balkans
To tackle the political and economic challenges posed by shrinking populations, Balkan governments need to approach immigration as an opportunity, rethinking their policies and political messaging
Specials
Mapping China’s rise in the Western Balkans
China is building up its influence in the Western Balkans through projects focused on everything from energy and infrastructure to culture, education, and media. If the European Union is to achieve its geopolitical goals in the region, it will need to understand the nature of competition with Beijing in all these areas
Podcasts
Albania: The Flamingo Revolution explained
Jessica Hendrick welcomes Enri Hide and Ditmir Bushati to discuss how the protest movement drawing in local communities, Trump-linked investors, EU enlargement officials and international media took flight
China’s strategic approach to the Western Balkans
How much influence does China already have in the Western Balkans and how should European policymakers react?
How to deal with our Western Balkan neighbours?
North Macedonia and Albania wanted to start negotiations with the EU after having been candidate countries since 2005 and 2014. But the enlargement plans seemed…
Macedonian referendum: What happens next?
Mark Leonard speaks with Vessela Tcherneva and Robert Cooper about the contested result and how it might be solved. Bookshelf: Carnegie report on…
Conférence publique avec Hashim Thaçi, Président de la République du Kosovo
Conférence publique avec Hashim Thaci, Président de la République du Kosovo, modérée par Sylvie Kauffmann, Directrice éditoriale au Monde.
New chaos in the Balkans: what role left for the EU?
Mark Leonard talks with the director of ECFR's office in Sofia, Vessela Tcherneva and the director of ECFR's Wider Europe programme, Fredrik Wesslau about the…
Francisco de Borja Lasheras, director de la oficina de ECFR Madrid, entrevista a Andreja Stojkovski, en Skopje, Macedonia.
Francisco de Borja Lasheras, director de la oficina de ECFR Madrid, entrevista a Andreja Stojkovski, presidente del Macedonian Centre for European Traininng, en Skopje, Macedonia
The Yugoslavia War Crimes Tribunal: A Model for Justice or an Anomaly?
Listen on Mixcloud What does the ICTY’s track record suggest about the future direction and potential of the…
Futuro de la ampliación de la UE en los Balcanes Occidentales y el papel de la sociedad civil
Listen on Mixcloud Francisco de Borja Lasheras participó el pasado 26 de febrero en la Conferencia Internacional “Civil…
Rebooting EU foreign policy part 2 – Spiros Economides
In the second of two podcasts, Spiros Economides of the London School of Economics argues that the EU needs to think strategically about how…
Events
12
Dec
Wider Europe
Taking stock of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process
On 12 December, the German Embassy in Washington DC and the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) will host a public discussion which will take stock of the dialogue process to date and will examine the future prospect for a swift solution to the dispute in order to contribute to the peace and stability…
28
Nov
European Power
Countering disinformation as a global challenge
This international conference discusses the main aspects of disinformation as a global challenge. It has been organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Rome in cooperation with the Embassy of Estonia in Rome; the Embassy of Republic of Latvia in Rome; the Embassy of Republic of Lithuania in Rome; the Embassy…
European Power
Geopolitics of Enlargement: Ukraine Strategy
This webinar will discuss current revisions of the EU approach to enlargement policy and the security implications for Ukraine and the neighborhoods
28
Mar
European Power
Rethinking & Reshaping: EU Enlargement in times of war
Russia’s war against Ukraine has prompted European policymakers to rethink their approach to enlargement. What form does this new approach take, what are the opportunities for EU and candidate countries, and what is the European Political Community’s role?
Wider Europe
How to convince the European public to enlarge the EU
This event will discuss new polling data of six key EU member states in the enlargement debate (Germany, France, Denmark, Austria, Poland, Romania) and reveal what voters think about the geopolitical imperative of EU enlargement
6
Dec
European Power
L’allargamento e il futuro dell’Unione europea
Secondo appuntamento di una serie di tre working lunch realizzati congiuntamente da ECFR Roma, SDA Bocconi e l’Institute for European Policymaking @ Bocconi University
European Power
Uninterrupted support: What Ukraine needs from the EU in the Long War
Ahead of the European Council in December where accession talks with Ukraine are expected to be opened, the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) is delighted to welcome Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, Olha Stefanishyna, to discuss what Ukraine needs from Europe in the Long War. Europeans now face conflicts on multiple fronts…
14
Apr
Asia
Представяне на доклад – Да разцъфтят хиляди контакти: Как Китай се съревновава за влияние в България
Гледай на Фейсбук Софийският офис на Европейския съвет за външна политика има удоволствието да Ви покани на представянето на новия доклад на Владимир Шопов, „Да разцъфтят хиляди контакти: Как Китай се съревновава за влияние в България“, в който авторът разглежда дипломатическите усилия на Пекин в България на национално и субнационално…
Wider Europe
European Security Cooperation with Eastern Neighbourhood and Western Balkans
This high-level event will discuss ideas and recommendations that ECFR policy fellows Nicu Popescu and Gustav Gressel make in their 2020 policy brief on the security compact, and to extend these ideas to the Western Balkans
Asia
China in Europe’s periphery. How China became a power in the Western Balkans
The virtual roundtable, “China in Europe’s periphery. How China became a power in the Western Balkans”, will bring a small group of experts, officials, NGO and media representatives together in a discussion on China’s embedding in the region
In the media
This means that, reading between the lines, it can be understood that the doors are opening for Kosovo and that it is clearly being treated equally with other candidate countries
Engjellushe Morina on Kosovo´s situation regarding the possibility of becoming an EU member
