Tirana – ESI at ECFR Western Balkans Strategy Group meeting

Adnan took part in the Strategy Group meeting. Photo: ESI

Adnan Ćerimagić, ESI senior analyst, participated in the spring meeting of the ECFR Western Balkans Strategy Group, organised by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) in Tirana on 18 and 19 May 2026.

The annual gathering brought together European policymakers, regional stakeholders, and experts for closed-door discussions on the future of EU enlargement and the strategic challenges facing the Western Balkans. This year’s meeting focused particularly on Albania and Montenegro as frontrunners in the accession process, as well as on the broader political dynamics shaping enlargement policy within the European Union.

Adnan contributed ESI’s analysis on enlargement credibility, reform delivery, and the importance of maintaining a merit-based accession process that responds both to geopolitical realities and to democratic standards. He also took part in exchanges on regional political developments and the EU’s long-term strategic engagement in the Western Balkans.

ESI continues to engage in expert dialogue across Europe on enlargement, democratic resilience, and the future of the Western Balkans within the European Union.

• ESI proposal: “Preventing violence – transform Kosovo dialogue”
• ESI background: “Scoreboard - The true state of accession - What the Commission assessments reveal”
• ESI proposal: “End the turtle race How the EU can address the crisis of the accession process”
• ESI proposal: “Offer the four freedoms to the Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova For a merit-based EU accession process with a credible goal”
• ESI proposal: “47 again? Russia out, Kosovo in Support Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe”
• ESI proposal: “Abandon clichés about Bosnia: Push EU-related reforms instead of arbitrary conditions”
• ESI proposal: “No partition: Why Kosovo and Serbia must not discuss territory”
• ESI report: “Anti-Corruption Report for the West Balkans: Measure corruption in order to fight it”