WESTERN BALKANS SUMMIT 2021

At a time when the global community is still fighting a battle against Covid-19, governments and international institutions are focusing on the implementation of policies to enable them to return to competitiveness and growth.

The Western Balkans have been affected by the pandemic, adding to the long-standing challenges of the region. At the same time, however, the current situation underscores the need for a deeper co-operation and solidarity from international institutions. Structural reforms are needed to enable a deeper integration with European institutions. The European Union needs to move faster and more efficiently in providing assistance to the countries of the region, in helping them resolve cross-border disputes and, above all, in bringing the Western Balkans candidate countries into the club. The latter is in the interest of the region but it is also in the interest of Europe as a whole. Where do we stand?

• How can stability and co-operation in the region be reinforced?
• How can the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU be accelerated?
• Which are the priorities for North Macedonia and the region in the post-covid period?

It is against this setting that The Economist Events have great pleasure in announcing the organisation of the second Western Balkans Summit entitled “Promoting Europe’s inclusiveness and solidarity ” on October 14th 2021, in Skopje.