What is Progressive? The EU and the challenge of enlargement to the Western Balkans

Online Roundtable Discussion, Friday, 18 June 2021

This was a closed-door event.

This virtual roundtable debate focused on the challenges of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans that both the Union and candidate members are facing. The event was an opportunity for policymakers and scholars to reflect on the different political options and enhance a better understanding of what a progressive take on further enlargement of the European Union would look like.

The roundtable comprised two sessions. The first one looked at post-Covid recovery, in particular at how to avoid the further exacerbation of the political and economic challenges in the Western Balkans and at the inclusion of the Western Balkans in EU recovery plans. The second session focused on how progressives can re-vitalise EU enlargement and give it a credible accession perspective.

Organisers: FEPS, Friedrich Ebert Foundation Italian Office (FES Italy) and Fondation Jean Jaurès (FJJ) in cooperation with the Centro Studi di Politica Internazionale (CeSPI) and Villa Vigoni, German-Italian Centre for the European Dialogue

Related publications

• From EU Enlargement Fatigue to Ambiguity
• Dealing with EU accession in times of uncertainties: From halfway commitments to overlapping agendas