Dinner Discussion with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajčák

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

Dinner Discussion with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajčák

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

Dinner Discussion with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajčák

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.

Explore the Series

Program

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

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

Event Recap

Jul 25, 2012

Dinner Discussion with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajčák

On July 25, the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Relations program held an off-the-record dinner discussion with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajčák. Atlantic Council Executive Vice President Damon Wilson moderated the discussion, which drew on Minister Lajčák’s extensive expertise on the Balkans, and examined the options for moving […]

Central Europe The Balkans

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2012

Continue NATO Expansion

By Damon Wilson

This weekend, NATO leaders gather in Chicago to tackle an agenda dominated by Afghanistan, coping with defense budget cuts and global partnerships. These are key issues, yet alliance leaders cannot afford to ignore enlargement. The goal should be for this summit to advance, not set back, the candidacies of Macedonia, Montenegro, Georgia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. First, […]

NATO Security & Defense

NATOSource

Apr 21, 2012

Macedonia pushes NATO, EU membership

By Austin Wright, POLITICO

From Austin Wright, POLITICO:  Macedonia’s renewed push to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has drawn bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, but its decades-long dispute with Greece remains a stubborn impediment.

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Apr 6, 2012

NATO can’t let Macedonia fall by the wayside at Chicago

By Sally Painter, the HIll

From Sally Painter, the HIll:  The North Atlantic Treaty provides that any European state that qualifies for membership and that can contribute to the alliance’s security is eligible for membership. Macedonia is highly qualified on both of these fronts.

The Balkans United States and Canada

NATOSource

Apr 4, 2012

54 members of Congress urge Obama to invite Macedonia into NATO

By the Hill

From the Hill: Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.) and a bipartisan group of 53 other House members called on President Obama late last week to ensure that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) invites Macedonia to the group during a planned May summit meeting in Chicago.

The Balkans United States and Canada

NATOSource

Dec 5, 2011

NATO responds to ICJ ruling on Macedonia dispute

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  I take note that the International Court of Justice has issued its ruling on a bilateral issue between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2011

Time to Let Macedonia Play with the Big Boys

By Metodija A. Koloski and Mark Branov

Rarely has a country’s standing in the community of nations collapsed as quickly as that of Greece.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Nov 7, 2011

Balkan Energy Markets Need Reforms As Well As Caspian Gas

By Borut Grgic

Turkey and Azerbaijan have signed a historic agreement for the shipment of gas from the huge Shah Deniz 2 field in the Caspian Sea to Turkey, the Balkans and central Europe. This deal is a win-win for everyone, and it is especially important for the Balkans, which are energy-deficient in every way imaginable. Balkan energy […]

Energy & Environment The Balkans

Event Recap

Oct 12, 2011

From Podgorica to Brussels: Montenegro on the Road to Europe

By Adrienne Chuck

On October 11, 2011, the Transatlantic Relations Program hosted a discussion with Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Igor Lukšić. Prime Minister Lukšić is steering Montenegro’s steady course toward Euro-Atlantic integration, making NATO and European Union (EU) membership a top priority for his administration. Montenegro became an EU candidate in 2010, and it is currently the only country […]

Eastern Europe The Balkans

NATOSource

Aug 20, 2010

Macedonia Vacillates on NATO Commitment

By Slobodanka Jovanovska, BBC via Investors Business Daily: The pillar of Macedonian foreign policy over the past two decades, that is, the good relations with the United States, has begun to fall apart against the blows of the patriotic fight for the state’s name.

The Balkans United States and Canada
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Gorana Grgić

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Croatian Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Judy Ansley

Senior Advisor

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Dimitar Bechev

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

The Balkans Security & Defense

Fellow

Daniel Fried

Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Democratic Transitions

Millennium fellow

Aleksandar Vratonjić Gligorijević

Chief Marketing Officer, TeleGroup

Millennium Leadership Program

Digital Currencies Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Michael Groen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Defense Technologies
Load More