Albania’s former foreign minister: EU made “strategic mistake” in delaying accession negotiations

New Atlanticist Jun 17, 2025

Are Albania and Montenegro on the fast track to EU membership?

By Agon Maliqi

Albania and Montenegro are capitalizing on the European Union’s renewed momentum for enlargement as a result of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Elections International Norms
Albania’s former foreign minister: EU made “strategic mistake” in delaying accession negotiations

Report May 20, 2025

The European Union Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: A reality test for EU enlargement

By Valbona Zeneli, Richard Grieveson, Isabelle Ioannides, Dimitar Bechev

EU enlargement faces a test case in the Western Balkans. The current plan offers real benefits before accession, creating incentives for reform, but questions of enforceability and the relatively low amount of financial support threaten the success of the EU’s political influence in the region.
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia
Albania’s former foreign minister: EU made “strategic mistake” in delaying accession negotiations

New Atlanticist Apr 23, 2025

What’s at stake for Bosnia and Herzegovina as Milorad Dodik faces a political reckoning?

By Agon Maliqi

With his secessionist threats seemingly at a dead end, Milorad Dodik’s external backers might view him as more of a liability than an asset.
Corruption Freedom and Prosperity

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.

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New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2019

Albania’s former foreign minister: EU made “strategic mistake” in delaying accession negotiations

By David A. Wemer

The failure of European Union leaders to greenlight the start of the enlargement process for Albania and North Macedonia in October was “a step backwards” for the region’s path towards European integration, according to former Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati.

European Union The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2019

NATO is defined by its success—not its tensions

By David A. Wemer

While international headlines have focused on high-profile disputes within the NATO alliance over a litany of issues including defense spending, trade, Syria, and Brexit, transatlantic leaders stressed on December 3 that these disagreements are dwarfed by the continued success of the seventy-year-old alliance.

NATO Poland

Transcripts

Dec 3, 2019

NATO Engages transcript: Defense and deterrence for a new era

By Atlantic Council

After an introduction by Dr. Karin Von Hippel, director-general of the Royal United Services Institute, H.E. Andrzej Duda, president of Poland and H.E. Zoran Zaev and prime minister of the Republic of North Macedonia speak on a panel moderated by Stephen Sackur, presenter on BBC Hardtalk

NATO Poland

New Atlanticist

Nov 22, 2019

Evaluating Macron’s pitch for enlargement reform

By David A. Wemer

French officials hope the proposal can open the door to a real debate over how the European Union adds new members, while also limiting the political blowback for the Western Balkan countries

Democratic Transitions European Union

New Atlanticist

Oct 30, 2019

By blocking enlargement decision, Macron undercuts France’s Balkan goals

By Loic Tregoures

By strongly supporting the government of North Macedonia from the start and granting it the opening of negotiations, it would have been possible to create a virtuous circle in the region and kill four birds with one stone. President Macron chose to do exactly the opposite.

European Union France

In the News

Oct 9, 2019

Morningstar quoted in 15 Suprasti Akimirksniu on Lithuanian energy sector and development

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Lithuanian

New Atlanticist

Oct 3, 2019

A road map for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue

By Muhamet Brajshori

Kosovo foreign service member Muhamet Brajshori calls on Europe and the United States to work together to help facilitate a deal.

Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Sep 17, 2019

Great Power Competition in Southeast Europe

By Damon Wilson

In the past decade, the United States and the European Union (EU) became more ambivalent about our commitments in the Western Balkans. Moscow and Beijing, sensing an opening, have become more determined in their efforts to gain influence and leverage in the region.

China Russia

In the News

Sep 6, 2019

Vajdich quoted in Foreign Policy on new US special envoy to the Balkans

By Atlantic Council

Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans

In the News

Aug 15, 2019

Carpenter quoted in N1 on Bosnia’s relationship with NATO

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy NATO
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Experts

Fellow

Ilva Tare

Resident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Albanian English

Fellow

Earl Anthony Wayne

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Afghanistan Americas

Fellow

Valbona Zeneli

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Albanian Corruption