Advancing EU enlargement

The role of Italy and strategic convergence on the integration of the Western Balkans

The integration of the Western Balkans has re-emerged as a geostrategic priority for the EU after Russia’s war with Ukraine. The European Council has given impetus to accession negotiations, and the Commission is building on the pro-enlargement momentum with the New Growth Plan. However, challenges remain, including slow reforms, unresolved disputes and destabilizing external influences.

The conference offers an opportunity to discuss the current cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans. The first panel will focus on the new dynamics of integration in the region, examining the progress in regional cooperation and economic resilience. It will also explore the ambitions of certain Western Balkan countries to finalize accession negotiations within the 2024-2029 EU institutional cycle and the possibilities for accelerated economic integration under the Plan for Growth.The second panel will analyze how the EU is shaping its approach to future enlargement, balancing the need for institutional adaptation with the geopolitical imperative of integration. Special attention will be paid to Italy’s role in advocating for a more structured and gradual approach, the management of shared resources, and the challenges involved in negotiating the EU’s next multi-year budget to support candidate countries.

The conference is organized by the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) and the Balkans Caucasus Transeuropa Observatory (OBCT), in collaboration

For participation click HERE