FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

How do cyber-attacks threaten the Balkans? | A Debrief with Dan Ilazi and Filip Stojanovski

New Atlanticist May 3, 2024

What will North Macedonia’s upcoming elections mean for its EU accession prospects?

By Aleksej Demjanski

Results from the first-round presidential election on April 24 may shed light on what’s to come in the May 8 elections.
Elections Europe & Eurasia
How do cyber-attacks threaten the Balkans? | A Debrief with Dan Ilazi and Filip Stojanovski

Issue Brief Feb 26, 2024

Western Balkans must pursue more competitive energy sectors

By Matthew Bryza

The EU needs to take steps to support more competition and efficiency in the energy sectors of Bulgaria and the Western Balkans to advance the energy transition and promote energy independence from Russia.
Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions
How do cyber-attacks threaten the Balkans? | A Debrief with Dan Ilazi and Filip Stojanovski

Issue Brief Dec 20, 2023

Up for grabs? The Western Balkans’ aging energy systems place it between East and West

By Aleksandar Kovacevic

The Western Balkans’ hydropower can help Europe’s pursuit of energy security. Failure to act on this potential brings significant costs.
Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Explore the #BalkansDebrief Series

#BalkansDebrief

The Atlantic Council Europe Center‘s #BalkansDebrief series features timely conversations on key issues impacting the Western Balkans. Nonresident senior fellow Ilva Tare hosts newsmakers, experts, and officials for discussions on rule of law, energy security, cultural heritage, Russian and Chinese influence in the region, and more.

Explore the Series

Featured Events

Online Event Mon, November 27, 2023 • 9:00 am ET

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Western Balkans integration and the EU

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT— Prime Minister Edi Rama shared his perspective on Albania’s path to the EU and Western Balkan integration.

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Southern & Southeastern Europe The Balkans
Public Event Thu, November 16, 2023 • 10:00 am ET

Building a stable Western Balkans: Regional challenges and opportunities

A discussion on the regional challenges and opportunities in the Western Balkans, with a focus on political developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, and the opportunities that exist to promote stability and security in the region and keep the Western Balkans aligned on a European path.
Democratic Transitions Europe & Eurasia Political Reform Politics & Diplomacy
Online Event Tue, June 20, 2023 • 9:00 am ET

Restarting the Dialogue: A conversation with Gabriel Escobar and Miroslav Lajcak

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar and EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and Western Balkans Miroslav Lajcak join the Atlantic Council to discuss recent developments in the region, the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, US-EU cooperation in the region, and strategies to ensure the implementation of the Ohrid and Brussels agreements.
Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans
Public Event Wed, May 10, 2023 • 9:00 am ET

Fireside chat with President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu

President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu joins the Atlantic Council to discuss recent developments in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic path, and her vision for the future of Kosovo.
Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans
Online Event Fri, March 17, 2023 • 10:00 am ET

Next Steps for the Dialogue: A decisive moment for Normalization between Serbia

A conversation on the next steps of the EU-led Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue ahead of the March 18th reconvening of the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo.
Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy The Balkans
Online Event Wed, February 22, 2023 • 9:15 am ET

A conversation with Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Plenković joined the Atlantic Council to share his perspective on the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine for Europe and the Western Balkans, Croatia’s foreign-policy objectives, its entry into the eurozone and the Schengen area, and how his country’s Euro-Atlantic journey can serve as a source of inspiration for the Western Balkan countries and Ukraine.
Europe & Eurasia Eurozone Politics & Diplomacy Southern & Southeastern Europe
Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković
Online Event Tue, December 13, 2022 • 9:30 am ET

The path ahead for regional integration initiatives in the Western Balkans

The six Western Balkan countries convened in Berlin in November and signed three agreements under the auspices of the revitalized Berlin Process. The year ahead offers a new set of opportunities to demonstrate the transatlantic commitment to the region. How can the transatlantic partners work together to support the region on its Euro-Atlantic path?
Democratic Transitions Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Rule of Law
Online Event Thu, December 1, 2022 • 9:00 am ET

The Western Balkans’ Euro-Atlantic future: A conversation with Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar

Deputy Assistant Secretary Escobar discusses the latest challenges in the Western Balkans, what the new year may hold, and how the transatlantic partners can help the region get back on track.

Crisis Management Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Southern & Southeastern Europe
Online Event Wed, May 18, 2022 • 3:30 pm ET

A conversation with Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo Albin Kurti

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – Prime Minister Kurti discussed Kosovo’s domestic situation, relations with Serbia, and his ideas for accelerating European integration.
Southern & Southeastern Europe The Balkans
Online Event Wed, June 9, 2021 • 8:30 am ET

A conversation with President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – President Osmani discussed Kosovo’s domestic and foreign policy priorities and her agenda for achieving them.

Europe & Eurasia
Online Event Thu, April 22, 2021 • 9:00 am ET

A conversation with President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT – President Aleksandar Vučić discussed Serbia’s domestic agenda amid the pandemic as well as the country’s regional and foreign policy priorities.
Europe & Eurasia The Balkans

Program

The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

Balkans Debrief

Oct 1, 2024

How do cyber-attacks threaten the Balkans? | A Debrief with Dan Ilazi and Filip Stojanovski

Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Dan Ilazi and Filip Stojanovski about the political and economic threats of cyber-attacks for the Western Balkans.

Cybersecurity European Union

EnergySource

Sep 27, 2024

Renewables offer opportunity in the Western Balkans. But challenges remain.

By Michael Hochberg

The Western Balkans rely heavily on aging coal plants for electricity production, with five of its nations generating about 40 to 95 percent of their electricity from lignite, leading to significant pollution and related health issues. Tens of thousands of megawatts of solar and wind projects have been proposed, but despite policy incentives and investor appetite, five key challenges remain.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Report

Sep 13, 2024

A sea of opportunities: Exploring cooperation between Turkey and the West in the Black Sea

By Atlantic Council Turkey Programs

In the political sphere, the interests of Turkey and the West in the Black Sea largely overlap.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

Report

Sep 13, 2024

A sea of opportunities: Introduction

By Yevgeniya Gaber

Turkey and Western countries need to explore the prospects for enhanced cooperation in the Black Sea region to achieve results together that neither could accomplish alone.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Report

Sep 13, 2024

Part 1. Political and diplomatic dialogue: Challenges and opportunities for Black Sea cooperation between Turkey and the West in the post-2022 environment

By Maryna Vorotnyuk

Turkey and the West should explore avenues of cooperation and fostering a more cooperative engagement culture.

Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia

Report

Sep 13, 2024

Part 2. Maritime security: Redefining regional order in a new security environment

By Serhat Güvenç

A redefinition of the EU-Turkey relations will result with a lasting maritime security arrangement in the Black Sea.

Defense Policy Eastern Europe

Report

Sep 13, 2024

A sea of opportunities: Main takeaways and policy recommendations

By Yevgeniya Gaber

Recommendations for the West and Turkey for enhancing cooperation in defense, maritime security, energy, and political dialogue.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Report

Sep 13, 2024

Part 3. Defense cooperation: Turkey’s triangular balancing in the Black Sea region

By Rich Outzen

For stability in the Black Sea region, the West should seek to converge with its most potent regional ally, Turkey.

Conflict Defense Industry

Report

Sep 13, 2024

Part 4. Turkey’s geopolitical role in the Black Sea and European energy security: From pipelines to liquefied natural gas

By Eser Özdil

Turkey’s strategic position in the region provides cooperation opportunities for European energy security and economic interdependence.

Eastern Europe Energy & Environment

Balkans Debrief

Aug 29, 2024

What are the challenges for Mickoski’s North Macedonia? | A Debrief with Malinka Jordanova, Branimir Jovanovic and Lura Pollozhani

PM Hristijan Mickoski's new government in North Macedonia has a strong mandate but faces key challenges. Resident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare speaks with Malinka Jordanova, Branimir Jovanovic, and Lura Pollozhani to discuss.

Elections European Union
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Experts

Fellow

Gorana Grgić

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Croatian Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Judy Ansley

Senior Advisor

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Dimitar Bechev

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

The Balkans Security & Defense

Fellow

Thammy Evans

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

China Climate Change & Climate Action

Fellow

Daniel Fried

Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Democratic Transitions

Millennium fellow

Aleksandar Vratonjić Gligorijević

Chief Marketing Officer, TeleGroup

Millennium Leadership Program

Digital Currencies Europe & Eurasia
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Events

Online Event Fri, October 4, 2024 • 11:30 am ET

The Berlin Process Summit ten years on: Lessons learned and next steps for the WB6
Economy & Business Germany Political Reform The Balkans