“Western Balkans between Internal Transitions and the European Integration Process”

Type: 
Conference
Audience: 
Open to the Public
Building: 
Nador u. 15
Room: 
103 Tiered Room
Category: 
Monday, April 24, 2017 - 9:30am
Add to Calendar
Date: 
Monday, April 24, 2017 - 9:30am to 2:00pm

The Western Balkans is a region where legacies of the past interfere with the present and negatively contribute to the transitional processes of these countries. The region is officially committed to following the EU and NATO path, although it faces many challenges when it comes to meeting the criteria for both memberships. The difficult democratic transition, the lack of political will, and weak political culture delay the process of bringing the region closer to Euro-Atlantic integration. Meanwhile, the recent years in the Western Balkans have been labeled by a deteriorating situation across the region. All the countries face a new crisis of democracy and democratic values (fragile institutions, violation of human rights, freedom of media, fragile civil society). The democratic transition has obviously not delivered on its promises. Such crisis changes the political landscape of the region resulting in an adaptation of political elites, and seeking for new tools to retain power, and secure the legitimacy in the eyes of the citizens.

This conference will analyze the transition processes in the Western Balkans, it will examine the role of the EU and the urgency for a closer monitoring of the situation in the region and finally it will give a comparative and case country studies offering practical policy solutions.

Register with Hana Semanić at semanich@ceu.edu