Our proposals

ESI is an independent non-profit think-tank with an agenda: to fight for a better, fairer and stronger Europe based on the rule of law and respect for human rights, and for a chance for its neighbours to join it. Our tools are arguments, our role is to develop, through serious research and analysis, concrete and well-explained policy proposals that can be implemented. We believe in factfulness, rational arguments and the value of intense debate. At this moment we are advocating for the following policy proposals:

Demonstrators holding the Polish national flag in front of the Supreme Court in Warsaw, July 2018. Photo: Shutterstock / MOZCO Mateusz Szymanski

How the rule of law dies in Poland

Support the ECJ to protect the rule of law in Poland

Bled lake, Slovenia

Open EU Single Market to the Balkans

For a merit-based EU accession process that offers a credible goal

Protest against pushbacks in Australia in 2015. Will such policies spell the global end of the Refugee Convention? Photo: Shutterstock / Dave Hewison Photography

70 years Refugee Convention - what now?

Establish humane control through cooperation

The island nation of Nauru: is this the future of the global refugee system? Photo: Shutterstock / Robert Szymanski

Humane Borders

Saving the Refugee Convention

Caviar Diplomacy

Why every European should care

Photo: Press service of Simonovsky District Court

The Council of Europe and Navalny

Countries blatantly violating its rules should be suspended

Anti-Corruption Report for the West Balkans

Measure corruption in order to fight it

Refugee boat and Libyan coast guard, October 2016. Photo: flickr / Brainbitch

New deal with Africa

Regular access and fast return

Silly rankings don't help

The World Bank should change the methodology of its Doing Business ranking

Foreign Ministry building Belgrade

No border changes

Why Kosovo and Serbia must not discuss territory

Syrian school children at the Temporary Education Center in Osmaniye, southern Turkey

EU-Turkey Statement 2.0

How the EU and Turkey must cooperate in their mutual interest

Orban cartoon

Why Orban had to leave the EPP

Europe's centre-right is better off without Fidesz

Ruin in Mostar

Abandon clichés about Bosnia

Push EU-related reforms instead of arbitrary conditions

Start EU accession talks with North Macedonia

Keep your word. Strengthen reformers

AKP rally Istanbul

Red Lines for Turkey

Define clear standards. Assess them strictly

Mostar.

How to teach war in the Balkans?

For a comprehensive analysis of 20th century history textbooks