“Europe must enlarge if it wants to lead”, declared ALDE Party President Svenja Hahn, as she took the stage at last weekend’s “Quo Vadis, Europa?” regional liberal conference.
Liberal Leaders from across South East Europe and beyond gathered in Skopje, North Macedonia to discuss the future of EU enlargement, in this annual event organised by LIBSEEN - Liberal South East European Network and ALDE Party member LDP - North Macedonia.
As President Hahn outlined in her remarks, EU enlargement is not only about opportunity but also plays a role in our security and EU’s geopolitical role.
Leaving the Western Balkans in limbo encourages autocratic influence as there is a vacuum to fill.
Targeted disinformation campaigns and populist influences in the region have the ability to stall the EU accession progress, if the EU remains aloof from regional progress and security.
Hahn argued that enlargement needs to happen in parallel as EU internal reforms. Only then Europe can rise as a global superpower to lead from the front.
The two-day event brought together politicians, MEPs and experts to exchange ideas on how the EU can integrate the Western Balkans further. Discussions centred around the EU’s enlargement timeline, Europe’s internal reform and integration of Southeast Europe.
Speakers included ALDE Party President Svenja Hahn, ALDE Party Vice-President Rik Daems and former Deputy Prime Minister Vesna Pusić, alongside leaders from both EU and neighbourhood countries in the region. ALDE Party Vice-President Yoko Alender and Irena Joveva MEP also delivered a video message, covering key liberal priorities for EU enlargement.
Throughout the weekend, participants urged political unity and proactive leadership to inspire more regional cooperation. Liberals reinforced our commitment to a secure, complete and reformed EU.