The Balkans Archives

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

#BalkansDebrief – What’s behind Italy-Albania immigration deal? | A debrief with Natalie Tocci

New Atlanticist Sep 28, 2023

Western Balkans ‘nearshoring’ can turn the region into a strategic asset for the EU

By Valbona Zeneli

Focused attention is needed to advance an EU-driven economic growth plan and to accelerate the region’s EU accession.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist Sep 13, 2023

The necessary next step to enable Serb reintegration in Kosovo’s north

By Shpetim Gashi and Milica Andric Rakic

Serbia and Kosovo’s leaders must take steps to reduce tensions and facilitate Kosovo Serbs’ reintegration in the north of the country.

Freedom and Prosperity Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist Jun 30, 2023

The next European Union member is…

By Atlantic Council experts

Ten years after Croatia joined the bloc—the last country to do so—Atlantic Council experts look at eleven countries that might join next.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Explore the #BalkansDebrief Series

#BalkansDebrief

The Atlantic Council Europe Center‘s #BalkansDebrief series features timely conversations on key issues impacting the Western Balkans. Nonresident senior fellow Ilva Tare hosts newsmakers, experts, and officials for discussions on rule of law, energy security, cultural heritage, Russian and Chinese influence in the region, and more.

Explore the Series

Featured Events

Online Event Mon, November 27, 2023 • 9:00 am ET

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Western Balkans integration and the EU

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT— Prime Minister Edi Rama shared his perspective on Albania’s path to the EU and Western Balkan integration.

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Southern & Southeastern Europe The Balkans

Public Event Thu, November 16, 2023 • 10:00 am ET

Building a stable Western Balkans: Regional challenges and opportunities

A discussion on the regional challenges and opportunities in the Western Balkans, with a focus on political developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, and the opportunities that exist to promote stability and security in the region and keep the Western Balkans aligned on a European path.

Democratic Transitions Europe & Eurasia Political Reform Politics & Diplomacy

Online Event Tue, June 20, 2023 • 9:00 am ET

Restarting the Dialogue: A conversation with Gabriel Escobar and Miroslav Lajcak

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar and EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and Western Balkans Miroslav Lajcak join the Atlantic Council to discuss recent developments in the region, the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, US-EU cooperation in the region, and strategies to ensure the implementation of the Ohrid and Brussels agreements.

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans

Public Event Wed, May 10, 2023 • 9:00 am ET

Fireside chat with President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu

President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu joins the Atlantic Council to discuss recent developments in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic path, and her vision for the future of Kosovo.

Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans

Online Event Fri, March 17, 2023 • 10:00 am ET

Next Steps for the Dialogue: A decisive moment for Normalization between Serbia

A conversation on the next steps of the EU-led Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue ahead of the March 18th reconvening of the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo.

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans

Online Event Wed, February 22, 2023 • 9:15 am ET

A conversation with Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Plenković joined the Atlantic Council to share his perspective on the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine for Europe and the Western Balkans, Croatia’s foreign-policy objectives, its entry into the eurozone and the Schengen area, and how his country’s Euro-Atlantic journey can serve as a source of inspiration for the Western Balkan countries and Ukraine.

Europe & Eurasia Eurozone Politics & Diplomacy Southern & Southeastern Europe

Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković

Online Event Tue, December 13, 2022 • 9:30 am ET

The path ahead for regional integration initiatives in the Western Balkans

The six Western Balkan countries convened in Berlin in November and signed three agreements under the auspices of the revitalized Berlin Process. The year ahead offers a new set of opportunities to demonstrate the transatlantic commitment to the region. How can the transatlantic partners work together to support the region on its Euro-Atlantic path?

Democratic Transitions Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Rule of Law

Online Event Thu, December 1, 2022 • 9:00 am ET

The Western Balkans’ Euro-Atlantic future: A conversation with Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar

Deputy Assistant Secretary Escobar discusses the latest challenges in the Western Balkans, what the new year may hold, and how the transatlantic partners can help the region get back on track.

Crisis Management Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Southern & Southeastern Europe

Online Event Wed, May 18, 2022 • 3:30 pm ET

A conversation with Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo Albin Kurti

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – Prime Minister Kurti discussed Kosovo’s domestic situation, relations with Serbia, and his ideas for accelerating European integration.

Southern & Southeastern Europe The Balkans

Online Event Wed, June 9, 2021 • 8:30 am ET

A conversation with President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – President Osmani discussed Kosovo’s domestic and foreign policy priorities and her agenda for achieving them.

Europe & Eurasia

Online Event Thu, April 22, 2021 • 9:00 am ET

A conversation with President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – President Aleksandar Vučić discussed Serbia’s domestic agenda amid the pandemic as well as the country’s regional and foreign policy priorities.

Europe & Eurasia The Balkans

Program

The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

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Content

Balkans Debrief

Nov 29, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – What’s behind Italy-Albania immigration deal? | A debrief with Natalie Tocci

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks to Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Instituto Affari Internazionali in Italy, about the political and social implications of Italy-Albania Immigration deal.

The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Nov 27, 2023

Spillover from wars in the Middle East and Ukraine may spread to the Western Balkans, warns Albanian prime minister

By Katherine Walla

Western Balkans countries must “work day and night to keep the conflict out of the borders of our region,” Prime Minister Edi Rama said at the Atlantic Council.

Crisis Management European Union

Balkans Debrief

Nov 10, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – Why does the US want Kosovo to urgently implement the ASM?| A debrief with Jeffrey Hovenier

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier to discuss developments in the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.

The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Nov 9, 2023

Will the EU get new members soon? Here’s what you need to know.

By Atlantic Council experts

Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia just saw their bids to join the twenty-seven member bloc boosted by the European Commission. Atlantic Council experts explain what it means for EU enlargement.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Balkans Debrief

Nov 1, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – What challenges face new Montenegro government? | A Debrief with Ana Nenezic

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by political analyst and the director of the Institute for SocioPolitical Research - Analitico, Ana Nenezic.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 23, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – A view from the European Parliament on Kosovo-Serbia crisis | A Debrief with Viola von Cramon

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by, Viola von Cramon, a member of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee and the Rapporteur on Kosovo, to discuss the implications of the resolution and the EU's role in ensuring that Serbia cooperates fully with the investigation into the Banjska attack.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 13, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – What is the future of normalization process between Kosovo and Serbia? | A Debrief with Alicia Kearns

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by British MP Alicia Kearns, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, UK House of Commons to discuss recent escalation of hostilities in Kosovo and the future of Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.

The Balkans

Balkans Debrief

Oct 11, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – Civil society’s role in Western Balkans EU accession | A Debrief with Andi Dobrushi

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by Andi Dobrushi, Western Balkans Executive Director of the Open Society Foundation, to discuss the importance of holding Western Balkan governments and EU member states accountable for their commitments to EU reforms and the role of civil society in the region.

The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2023

Western Balkans ‘nearshoring’ can turn the region into a strategic asset for the EU

By Valbona Zeneli

Focused attention is needed to advance an EU-driven economic growth plan and to accelerate the region’s EU accession.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

Sep 19, 2023

#BalkansDebrief – How to integrate Serbs in Northern Kosovo? | A debrief with Shpetim Gashi and Milica Andric Rakic

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Milica Andric Rakic, program manager at the New Social Initiative, and Shpetim Gashi, Vice President of the Council for Inclusive Governance, to discuss steps needed for integrating the Serb community in the north of Kosovo.

European Union Political Reform