As the global community continues to grapple with the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Atlantic Council is open for business. Our business, meetings, and events, however, are occurring virtually. For more information, please read an update from our President and CEO.

The Atlantic Council will host a Summit of leaders from the Western Balkans Six—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—as they agree on bold, practical actions to advance regional economic cooperation. These significant steps will help the region emerge from the devastating impact of COVID-19 with greater economic development opportunities.

The expected economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Balkans demand urgent regional action to avoid sustained economic stagnation and the potential instability that comes with it. These conclusions will demonstrate leaders’ commitment to foster economic growth by pursuing the free movement of goods, persons, and services across the region’s borders. The measure will also set in motion a significant plan for attracting foreign investment and accelerating the effective deployment of COVID-19 recovery funds. 

Building on its efforts and extensive networks in Southeastern Europe, the Atlantic Council convenes this Western Balkans Partnership Summit to facilitate and promote concrete steps among the leaders toward regional economic cooperation that can stimulate post-COVID-19 economic recovery, boost the region’s long-term competitiveness, and strengthen its attractiveness for investors. Tangible measures agreed at the Summit—linked to and embedded in existing regional initiatives and dialogues—will send an important political message about the Western Balkans’ Euro-Atlantic future at a time of heightened uncertainty.

Please join us on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (EDT) / 16:15 hrs to 17:30 hrs (CEST) via Zoom. In order to participate in the call, please register below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join.

Featuring:

Keynote speakers

H.E. Stevo Pendarovski

H.E. Aleksandar Vučić

H.E. Avdullah Hoti

H.E. Edi Rama

H.E. Zoran Tegeltija

H.E. Dragica Sekulić

Ms. Genoveva Ruiz-Calavera
Director for the Western Balkans
Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations
European Commission

Mr. Matthew Palmer
Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs
with responsibility for the Western Balkans and the Aegean
US Department of State

Ms. Majlinda Bregu
Secretary General
Regional Cooperation Council

Ms. Zsuzsanna Hargitai
Regional Director for Western Balkans
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Mr. Marko Čadež
President
The Western Balkans 6 Chamber of Commerce Investment Forum

Mr. Jim O’Brien
Senior Advisor, Future Europe Initiative
Atlantic Council

Moderators

Mr. Damon M. Wilson
Executive Vice President
Atlantic Council

Ms. Valerie Hopkins
South-East Europe Correspondent
The Financial Times

Introduction by

Mr. Frederick Kempe
President and CEO
Atlantic Council