#BalkansDebrief

After a decade of attempts to reach an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, the EU and the US appear to have joined forces to find solutions for a long-lasting deal for the future of both countries. Thirteen policy experts from Serbia and Pristina authored a document proposing four likely scenarios. Two political analysts who took part in the working group "Kosovo and Serbia by 2027" are interview...

What is the likelihood that a new government will be formed in Montenegro following the vote of no-confidence? Why did Prime Minister Abazovic lose the parliamentary support? Did President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic play a role in the country's recent political unrest? In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare speaks with Zeljko Pantelic, a Montenegrin foreign policy expert about the curren...

Another crisis between Kosovo and Serbia was averted following close involvement of the EU and the US officials in facilitating reciprocal recognition of ID cards. Conversation now moves forward under the auspices of the EU-facilitated Dialogue. In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare speaks to the US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill, about Serbia's EU path, issues affecting the EU-faci...

Increased Russian intelligence activity and security threats over the last few weeks across the Western Balkans have troubled some NATO allied countries. Has Russia increased its activity in the region as a result of the war in Ukraine?   In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare speaks to Fabian Zhilla, a Senior Fellow of the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, about the...

With general elections set to take place in October, the Bosnian political spectrum still has to reach an agreement to revise the electoral law. Why did the Office of High Representative's proposed changes to the electoral law start protests in Sarajevo? In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare speaks to Adnan Huskic, President of the Center for Election Studies, who says that implementing ch...

Escalation of tensions on the border between Kosovo and Serbia raised concerns in Europe and in the US about a potential spillover to the rest of the Balkans.     In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare speaks to Petrit Selimi, Former Foreign Minister of Kosovo and CEO of Millennium Foundation Kosovo, about the frictions that followed Kosovo's announcement of the reciprocity principle. Has t...

The start of membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia marked a milestone in the EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans after many years of disappointment.   In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare speaks with Pierre Mirel, Honorary Director General of the European Commission, on the impact of the new EU methodology in the accession talks. Has the EU's credibility been restore...

Russia's war in Ukraine has caused a tectonic shift in Europe and its periphery. It is time for decisive action from EU leaders to engage strategically in the Western Balkans. Ilva Tare interviews Damon Wilson, President and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy, on the opportunity for Western support in the region. Can the United States engage more actively in the region? What role can the...

While Sofia accepted the French proposal to find a solution between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, protests erupted after the Skopje government decided to consider approving the demands before beginning EU accession talks. Ilva Tare discusses the origins of this dispute and the path forward for both countries with Dimitar Bechev, lecturer at Oxford's School of Global & Area Studies. Is it possible...

What will happen in the Western Balkans following the European Council's decision?  As Balkan leaders expressed their frustration with the enlargement impasse, they emphasized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation. Ilva Tare, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council's Europe Center, speaks with Maja Piscevic and Damir Marusic, Senior Fellows at the Europe Center with firsth...

What is the path forward for the stalled Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue?   As dialogue between the two countries is stalled and the region expects anxiously the EU Council decision on accession talks, Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews Ivan Vejvoda, Permanent Fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences and a seasoned observer of the Western Balkans to continue the conversation on the future...

What is the path forward for the stalled Belgrade–Pristina dialogue?    The dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo has stalled and the two countries seem to be in a state of unfinished conflict. The Europe Center's Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks to Veton Surroi, a well know publicist and former politician from Kosovo, about the path forward for both countries.   What can be done to change...

Will Bulgaria relinquish its veto over North Macedonia's EU accession?   As the June European Council meeting is approaching, Bulgaria continues to block North Macedonia's opening of accession negotiations with the EU. The Atlantic Council Europe Center's Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia N...

What are the regional ramifications of Serbia's gas agreement with Russia?   The three-year agreement announced by Serbian President Vučić with Russia's Gazprom is a sharp contrast to other EU and candidate countries that have joined the sanctions against Putin for his war in Ukraine. The Atlantic Council Europe Center's Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews the Global Energy Center's Olg...

What is the future of EU enlargement?   While the EU enlargement process is stalled because of one country's refusal to initiate accession talks with potential new members, old proposals for breaking the impasse are gaining popularity. The Atlantic Council Europe Center's Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare interviews the European Stability Initiative's Gerald Knaus on the two-stage EU accession i...