The European integration of the Western Balkans countries has stalled because of the unwillingness of EU countries to pursue further expansion, and the unwillingness of most WB leaders to undertake the significant and necessary reforms which are prerequisites for Accession.
These delays have eroded the EU’s credibility as a transformative power in the Western Balkans to a significant extent, and have allowed reactionary right-wing forces to thrive in the political landscapes of WB countries. If the EU is to regain its status as the undisputed role model for the political and economic development of the WB countries, it must change and adapt its policies toward them.
To that end, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung offices in Belgrade, Sarajevo and Berlin have established a Strategy Group tasked with conceptualizing and presenting to EU decision-makers policy proposals aimed at revitalizing the EU Accession process of the WB countries in line with progressive, green, and gender-sensitive values. The Group consists of prominent Civil Society representatives from each of the WB countries, and is subdivided into working groups.
Members:
Daliborka Uljarevic, Executive Director, Centre for Civic Education, Podgorica, Montenegro
Izabela Kisić, Executive Director, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
Edo Kanlić, Programme Coordinator, Sarajevo Open Centre, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Petar Todorov, Institute of National History Skopje, North Macedonia
Alba Çela, Executive director, Albanian Institute for International Studies, Albania
Lejla Gačanica, Legal, independent researcher Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Njomza Arifi, Programme Manager, Group for Legal and Political Studies, Kosovo
Agon Maliqi, Activist and Political Analyst, Kosovo