FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

What will North Macedonia’s upcoming elections mean for its EU accession prospects?

New Atlanticist May 3, 2024

What will North Macedonia’s upcoming elections mean for its EU accession prospects?

By Aleksej Demjanski

Results from the first-round presidential election on April 24 may shed light on what’s to come in the May 8 elections.
Elections Europe & Eurasia
What will North Macedonia’s upcoming elections mean for its EU accession prospects?

Issue Brief Feb 26, 2024

Western Balkans must pursue more competitive energy sectors

By Matthew Bryza

The EU needs to take steps to support more competition and efficiency in the energy sectors of Bulgaria and the Western Balkans to advance the energy transition and promote energy independence from Russia.
Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions
What will North Macedonia’s upcoming elections mean for its EU accession prospects?

Issue Brief Dec 20, 2023

Up for grabs? The Western Balkans’ aging energy systems place it between East and West

By Aleksandar Kovacevic

The Western Balkans’ hydropower can help Europe’s pursuit of energy security. Failure to act on this potential brings significant costs.
Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

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

New Atlanticist

May 3, 2024

What will North Macedonia’s upcoming elections mean for its EU accession prospects?

By Aleksej Demjanski

Results from the first-round presidential election on April 24 may shed light on what’s to come in the May 8 elections.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Balkans Debrief

May 1, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – Why do North Macedonia’s elections matter for its EU future? | A debrief with Aleksej Demjanski

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined in this episode of #BalkansDebrief by Aleksej Demjanski to discuss North Macedonia's 2024 parliamentary elections and implications for EU integration.

Elections European Union

In the News

Apr 25, 2024

Global China Hub Senior Director David O. Shullman in “Novi Magazin” Podcast

By David O. Shullman

On April 21st, Global China Hub Senior Director David O. Shullman was featured on the podcast “Novi Magazin,” for a discussion on Serbia’s close relationship with China and the United States’ perspective on this cooperation.

China Politics & Diplomacy

Balkans Debrief

Apr 15, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – Why is France refocused on security in the Balkans? | A debrief with Alexandre Vulic

In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare welcomes Alexandre Vulic. They discuss France's security concerns for the Western Balkans.

Cybersecurity Disinformation

Balkans Debrief

Mar 29, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – Why is the UK focused on reconciliation in the Balkans? | A debrief with Lord Stuart Peach

In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare welcomes Lord Stuart Peach. Together, they discuss the UK perspective on reconciliation in the Balkans.

Europe & Eurasia Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Balkans Debrief

Mar 20, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – Why are elections in North Macedonia critical for its EU path? | A debrief with Marko Troshanovski

Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare sits down will Marko Troshanovski, President of the Institute for Democracy, to discuss the importance of the elections and the key issues debated by the main two opposing political camps.

Corruption Elections

Balkans Debrief

Feb 27, 2024

#BalkansDebrief – Why did the dinar ban spark Kosovo-US tension? | A debrief with Arian Zeka and Dragisa Mijacic

In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare, Europe Center's Nonresident Senior Fellow, welcomes Arian Zeka and Dragisa Mijacic. Together, they discuss the implications of the recent dinar ban in Kosovo.

The Balkans

Issue Brief

Feb 26, 2024

Western Balkans must pursue more competitive energy sectors

By Matthew Bryza

The EU needs to take steps to support more competition and efficiency in the energy sectors of Bulgaria and the Western Balkans to advance the energy transition and promote energy independence from Russia.

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

In the News

Feb 1, 2024

Zeneli quoted by Voice of America on Russian and Chinese influence in the Western Balkans

By Valbona Zeneli

On February 1, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow Valbona Zeneli was quoted by Voice of America on Russia’s and China’s influence in the Western Balkans. 

China Non-Traditional Threats

New Atlanticist

Jan 22, 2024

Three Seas Initiative leaders on European connectivity and Ukraine’s reconstruction

By Daniel Hojnacki

Central and Eastern European leaders discussed the Initiative's efforts to attract investment, as well as Ukraine's potential membership.

Central Europe Economy & Business
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Marta Kepe

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Defense Industry English

Fellow

Ville Korpela

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Digital Currencies Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Andrea Montanino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Cameron Munter

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center South Asia Center

National Security Conflict

Fellow

Maja Piscevic

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Economy & Business English

Fellow

John Sipher

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Intelligence Non-Traditional Threats
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