Waiting for Europe: EU Enlargement in an Era of Uncertainty

Experts analyse the opportunities and challenges of EU enlargement in the Western Balkans

For decades, the "European Perspective" was a distant promise for the Western Balkans. Today, the geopolitical landscape has shifted. Russia’s war in Ukraine has turned EU enlargement from a bureaucratic process into a security imperative. Yet, as the "waiting room" grows more crowded, so does the frustration.

This public panel discussion brings together experts who will move beyond the technical "chapters" of accession. Can the EU reform itself internally while simultaneously expanding? How can the EU regain credibility in the Western Balkans while meeting the urgent needs of its neighbourhood? What does joining the Union mean for the democratic aspirations of the region?

The discussion builds on our ”Young Generation for the New Western Balkans” initiative, which seeks to elevate youth perspectives within policy debates on EU enlargement. Through workshops and regional exchanges, the initiative connects young leaders to develop a shared vision centered on reconciliation, inclusion, and a credible European future.

Welcome

Gerhard Marchl
Head of the European Politics Department, Karl-Renner-Institut

Gjergj Loka
Project Coordinator, International Institute for Peace (IIP)

Panelists

Ulrike Hartmann
Head of the Department South Eastern Europe and EU Enlargement; Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA)

Hannes Swoboda
President, International Institute for Peace (IIP)

Anna Pattermann
Executive Director, Unlimited Democracy, Vienna (tbc)

Donika Emini
Research Scholar, Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group, Prishtina

Moderation

Vedran Džihić
Senior Researcher, Austrian Institute for International Affairs (oiip)

The discussion will take place in English in cooperation with the International Institute for Peace (IIP) and the Austrian Institute for International Affairs (oiip).