The year 2020 has been pivotal for the Western Balkan region and enlargement is back on the EU’s agenda. However, COVID-19 not only hit the Western Balkan countries in a period of reacceleration of economic activity and put enormous pressure on fragile health systems, but also had an impact on the state of democracy in the region.

Join this online event hosted by European Liberal Forum to hear the perspective of the Western Balkans on the further development of the accession process and regionally relevant issues and policies. Featuring ALDE Party Vice-President Ilhan Kyuchyuk MEP as a speaker.

Learn more and register here.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Thursday, 5 November 2020

09:30 – 09:45 Opening remarks

Ilhan Kyuchyuk MEP, Vice-President of ALDE Party

Hilde Vautmans MEP, President of European Liberal Forum

09:45 – 10:00 Keynote speech

Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

10:00 – 12:00 Getting it Right: From a renewed accession process to political, economic, and social transformation of the region

Moderator: Ilhan Kyuchyuk MEP, Vice-President of ALDE Party

H.E. Bujar Osmani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia

H.E. Gent Cakaj, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania

Nathalie Loiseau MEP, Chair of the EP Subcommittee on Security and Defence

Željana Zovko MEP, EP Committee on Foreign Affairs

Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of Regional Cooperation Council