Berlin – ESI at Aspen Institute debate on EU integration of the Western Balkans

ESI’s Gerald Knaus was invited to participate on an online discussion on “EU integration of the Western Balkans: how to revive a stalling process?“ organised by Aspen Institute. 

In his presentation, he proposed to strengthen the transformative character of EU enlargement by turning it into a two-step process during which the region would be integrated into the European Single Market before gaining full membership.

The panel also included Simonida Kacarska, Director of the European Policy Institute in Skopje (EPI) and Member of the Think for Europe Network (TEN); Michela Matuella, Acting Director Western Balkans, DG NEAR, European Commission, and Sabine Stöhr, Director for the EU Financial Framework and EU Policies at the German Federal Foreign Office.

It was moderated by Valeska Esch, Deputy Executive Director and Program Director Europe of Aspen Institute Germany.

• "Open EU Single Market to the Balkans"
• ESI Newsletter: Slovenia, Serbia and an EU-Balkan breakthrough in 2021(March 2021)
• "Escaping the Hamster Wheel: For a reformed, merit-based EU accession process that offers a credible interim goal"
• "Abandon clichés about Bosnia: Push EU-related reforms instead of arbitrary conditions"
• "Start EU accession talks with North Macedonia: Keep your word. Strengthen reformers"
• "No partition: Why Kosovo and Serbia must not discuss territory"
• "Anti-Corruption Report for the West Balkans: Measure corruption in order to fight it"