Putting the “West” in Western Balkans:
Accelerating the Region’s European Future
(by invitation only)

In this discussion hosted by the German Marshall Fund of the United States, we will explore how, following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and increasing influence of both Russia and China, the Western Balkans have reclaimed their importance in Western strategic thinking. Following the creation of the European Political Community and the EU’s groundbreaking EU-Western Balkans Summit which took place in Tirana in December, we assess the new impetus for the long-awaited integration of the region’s countries to the European Union and the liberal world order.

Panelists:

Nikola Dimitrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs (2017-2020) Republic of North Macedonia

Zoran Popov, Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia to the USA
Evangelos Kalpadakis, Diplomatic Advisor to the Leader of the Main Opposition/SYRIZA PA, Hellenic Republic

Constantinos Filis, Director, Institute of Global Affairs, American College of Greece, Assoc. Prof. of Int’l Relations, Greece

Nicolas Kyriakides, Executive President & Founding Member, Cyprus Forum, Republic of Cyprus

Chair: Ian Lesser, Vice President, GMF South & Executive Director, Brussels Office