Southern and Southeastern Europe

Southern and Southeastern Europe

Southern and Southeastern Europe play a critical role in the transatlantic community, given their close proximity to the EU’s Southern Neighborhood and NATO’s Southern Flank. The region has faced significant economic challenges in recent years, along with an influx of migrants and foreign interference. While these concerns persist in some countries, the region has seen rapid economic growth, a revival of democratic institutions, and new opportunities for leadership in major international organizations.

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Time to Unblock Macedonia’s Accession to NATO

Report
Nov 10, 2025

Italy’s policy on China: The Belt and Road gamble and its aftermath

By
Valbona Zeneli

From the Silk Road to the Belt and Road Initiative, Italy’s relationship with China has shifted from early enthusiasm to cautious recalibration. Once Europe’s gateway for Beijing’s ambitions, Rome now frames its China policy around transatlantic solidarity, balancing economic opportunity with strategic prudence.

China
Economy & Business

Time to Unblock Macedonia’s Accession to NATO

Report
Nov 10, 2025

Greece’s policy on China: Debt-era deals and recalibration

By
Valbona Zeneli

From the port of Piraeus to Brussels, Greece’s China policy has evolved from enthusiastic engagement and post-crisis dependency to strategic caution. Today, Athens’s is balancing economic pragmatism with transatlantic security commitments.

China
Economy & Business

Time to Unblock Macedonia’s Accession to NATO

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

Program

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

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Content

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2013

Time to Unblock Macedonia’s Accession to NATO

By Sally Painter

The first visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to Afghanistan last month underscored the changing nature of Western involvement in the country. Kerry, among other important discussions, finalised the transfer of the Parwan detention centre over to Afghan authorities. The centre has long been a symbol of the Afghan government’s demands for national […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2012

Stifling Critical Voices in Southeast Europe

By Rena Linden

On November 24, a Croatian journalist revealed that Milorad Dodik, the president of the Bosnian Serb entity Republika Srpska, offered him money to cover up Dodik’s connection to the Hypo Alpe Adria Banka corruption scandal. 

Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans

Event Recap

Nov 13, 2012

Moving the Balkans and Bosnia Forward: A Post-Dayton Roadmap

By Jason Harmala

On November 13-14, the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Relations Program hosted the workshop, “Moving the Balkans and Bosnia Forward: A Post-Dayton Roadmap.” The private, off-the-record workshop focused on identifying regional and national initiatives that could encourage the Balkans region to continue on the path toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Download the workshop summary

The Balkans

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2012

Preventing Atrocity Crimes in Syria: The Responsibility to Protect

By Paul R. Williams J. Trevor Ulbrick and Jonathan P. Worboys

Has the Syria crisis finally reached the tipping point for intervention? In Aleppo, Human Rights Watch reported that Syrian aircraft have been deliberately bombing breadlines.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

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

Jul 25, 2012

Euro-Realism 2: How Safe is My Money?

By Julian Lindley-French

Lucullus, in Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens (spot the irony) warns, “This is no time to lend money, especially upon bare friendship without security.” As a Dutch tax-payer that warning carries little irony as billions of our hard-earned tax Euros have already vanished down the black hole of a failing currency – either in direct transfers […]

Economy & Business European Union

Europe After The Vote

Jun 21, 2012

Post-Electoral Greece

By Matthew Bryza

While markets in Europe and the United States breathed a collective sigh of relief with the victory of the sober Antonis Samaras and his New Democracy Party in last Sunday’s Greek parliamentary elections, the absence of a substantial market rally immediately thereafter reflected the seriousness of the work that lies ahead. Greece may have dodged […]

Elections Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Jun 5, 2012

In Spain, Germany Is Villain, Not Savior

By Frederick Kempe

What brought me to Spain during the most threatening week of the country’s recent history was an invitation to speak about one of Europe’s darkest hours a half-century ago, pegged to the Spanish-language publication of my book Berlin 1961: Kennedy, Khrushchev, and the Most Dangerous Place on Earth.

Europe & Eurasia Germany

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

Europe After The Vote

May 16, 2012

Why Greece Must Leave the Euro for Greece and Europe to Survive

By Garrett Workman

In the aftermath of last week’s elections in Greece, in which voters resoundingly rejected further austerity, Europe is struggling to come to terms with Greek voters’ conflicting desire to stay in the Euro while also delaying necessary reforms. However, while debating how to keep Greece in line and in the Euro, a more fundamental question […]

European Union Greece
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Experts

Fellow

Jason Davidson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Fellow

Mario De Pizzo

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

English Europe & Eurasia

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Pauline Deschryver

Senior Manager, DTEK Group

Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Central Europe

Fellow

Arnold C. Dupuy

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Turkey Energy & Environment

Fellow

Valeska Esch

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

European Union Germany

Staff

Jörn Fleck

Senior Director

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

Digital Policy Economy & Business
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