The EU consistently maintains that it is committed to a European future for the Western Balkans. Its partners could be forgiven for beginning to find these words hollow, particularly in light of Emmanuel Macron’s recent move to block accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania. Is this the end of the romance between Europe and the Western Balkans? Or is there still time to salvage the relationship? What other options do Western Balkan countries have? What impact would that have on the geopolitical ambitions of Von der Leyen’s Commission?

Questions like these, and more, will be tackled by our expert panellists:

Andor Deli MEP - European People's Party

Andreas Schieder MEP - Socialists & Democrats

Dr Isabelle Ioannides - Senior Associate Researcher, Institute for European Studies - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Europe's Futures Fellow - Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) Vienna

Alexandra Stiglmayer - Senior Analyst and European Stability Initiative Secretary-General

Moderator: István Szekeres, CEO, Centre for European Progression

Join us at the Press Club from 5:30 for what promises to be a fascinating, topical discussion.

Drinks will be provided after the Q&A session.

Please be aware that the discussion will be audio recorded, and that the Press Club has the right to video record the event and save it in their own archives.


Timings:

Registration:  5:30pm to 6pm
Panel discussion: 6pm to 7pm
Q&A: 7pm to 7:30pm
Networking and refreshments: 7:30pm onwards