The possibility of opening accession talks with Western Balkans candidate countries Albania and North Macedonia is supposed to be one of the topics of the European Council in June 2019. Politically sensitive decision should come at times when the enlargement process yet again stagnates and credibility of the EU prospects are questioned. Will the EU open accession talks with the two countries and what will be the main determining factors? What are the risks and challenges of the accession negotiations? What can we learn from the experience of Serbia, Montenegro and Turkey? What can be done from the perspective of Central European Countries?

Confirmed speakers:

Marta Szpala, Senior Research Fellow, Central European Department, Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), Poland

Clive Rumbold, Deputy Head of the Western Balkans Division, EEAS

Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, Managing Director, European Neighbourhood Council (ENC), Belgium

Srdjan Cvijic, Senior Policy Analyst, Open Society European Policy Institute (OSEPI), Belgium

Special remarks:

H. E. Suela Janina, Ambassador of Albania to the EU

H. E. Agneza Rusi, Ambassador of North Macedonia to the EU (TBC)

Moderation: Jana Juzová, Research Fellow, EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, Czech Republic