Event report

We, the citizens of the European Union live in challenging times, which are also of a great opportunity to from the future of the continent. The initiative of The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) is a unique and timely opportunity for European citizens to debate on Europe’s challenges and priorities. This is the chance for everyone to have their voice heard. Many event has been already organized to enchannel the opinion of the people. The Embassy of Hungary in Bratislava, together with the Institute of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary prepared a panel discussion on the situation of the Western Balkan on Wednesday, 15. December, 2021 (CoFoE topic: EU in the world, subcategory: Neighbourhood policy and enlarging the European Union). The European integration of the Western Balkan is a priority for both Slovakia and for Hungary for a long time already. The countries of the region belong to Europe historically, geographically and culturally. After the difficult decades of the twentieth century it is a common interest of both the countries of the Western Balkan and of the European Union, that integration process speeds up and is concluded as soon as possible. The V4 countries – and especially Hungary and Slovakia in it – consider this goal to be crucial in terms of the stability of the region and as a way to strengthen the EU against multiple security and economic challenges as a whole. Our panellists were asked to discuss the prospects of the Euro Atlantic integration of the region and the challenges that jeopardise the process, the emerging interest of global players in the region and the explanations of the visible reluctance of certain European governments and institutions to accelerate the accession processes. The Slovak position was presented by the director of the Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association (SFPA), Mr. Tomáš Strážay PhD., on behalf of the Hungarian Government Head of Department of the Western Balkans of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr. András Klein was speaker of the panel. Fellow research of the Hungarian Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr. Ferenc Németh moderated the event. In the introductory panel the speakers summed up why the Western Balkans (WB) is important for the respective countries. Mr. Klein claimed that for Hungary it has many aspects (security policy, economic but also national minorities). Since the WB countries are in the direct neighbourhood of Hungary, whatever affects the region has a direct effect on Hungary, too. According to Mr. Strážay, WB is top priority also for Slovakia, in the recent years they opened embassies in all WB countries (including a representative’s office in the not-recognised Kosovo). Slovakia could be, however, more active when it comes to investments and trade with the countries of the region. To the question of the visible reluctance on the enlargement of the EU the panellists pointed out that there are definitely positive news recently in this regard. The GAC accepted enlargement conclusions, SRB can open four new chapters, and it is also promising to her the news about the newly formed BG government, the fact that CRO is already “on board”, the agreement between GR and the former FYROM, as well as the new government coalition agreement in DE, which claims to play an important role in the WB integration process. On the other hand a viable enlargement process is crucial in order to maintain EU influence and also the enthusiasm from the countries of the WB. It is important that the Commission plays a rather pro-enlargement role, but some member countries are still hesitant and that prevents visible progress. The speakers agreed that more emphasis should be made on communication with the hesitant countries. Not only from the WB and from the likeminded countries, but it would be helpful if domestic, local stakeholders of the hesitant countries could take up this role. The audience put up several questions and comments. These aimed the role of the V4 in this regard (whether it is not counterproductive), the RUS/CHI influence in the region or the Kosovo situation. The panelists agreed that the role of the V4 is very important both in advocating the integration of the region and also by sharing their recent experiences from the time of their own accession processes. The relations of the V4 countries with the WB are very close, they hold summits every year and they are present in the region also via the projects of the International Visegrad Fund. The Russian influence in the region is an existing phenomenon, the people of the WB countires as well as their governments should realize that recent events (Montenegro, Republika Srbska) bring instability to the region – that is why a viable integration promise from the EU can be a balancing factor. The influence of CHI on the other hand is rather an economic one and so far it cannot be even compared the economic influence of some European countries (eg. Germany). Regarding Kosovo the Slovak position on visa liberalization and the recognition itself are not closely connected, the cooperation between Kosovo and Slovakia works on daily basis despite the fact of the lack of the recognition. The latter however is not very likely to happen in the near future. Finally the speakers agreed that to move forward with the process good examples and communication would be crucial. Good examples from the “newly” joined EU countries and the good example of the next WB country to be joined. These can move also the required reform processes further which might be good tool to convince the hesitant EU countries.