Since the end of the Bosnian War, NATO and the European Union had a more than important role in promoting peace and security in the Western Balkans. In addition to this greater level of stability, the possibility of integrating into the transatlantic structures appeared as a possible alternative element on the agenda of the regional leaders.

The successful engagement of NATO had an added value to the regional stability, which moved these countries closer to the values represented by the NATO and the European Union. Due to the geographical proximity and because of the historical ties, Hungary has a strong interest in the successful reconciliation and stabilisation of these countries. Therefore Hungary strongly supports the transatlantic perspective of the Western Balkans.

New challenges can easily undermine the results achieved. As the European security cannot be guaranteed without having stability in the Balkans, NATO has to be ready to address properly the next generation of challenges.

Should NATO further enlarge in the Western Balkans? What is the role for Hungary? Could external powers represent a challenge?

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Welcoming Speech:

Zsolt CSEPREGI, Deputy Director for International Affairs, Antall József Knowledge Centre

Opening Speech:

László SINKA, Head of EU Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Keynote Speech:

Jill GALLARD, Deputy Political Director, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom

Panel I ▸ Geopolitics and vulnerable stability in the Western Balkans

• Robert PSZCZEL, Senior Officer for Russia and the Western Balkans, Public Diplomacy Division, NATO
• Donika EMINI, Executive Director of CiviKos Platform and Member of BiEPAG
• Jasna DRAGOVIĆ-SOSO, Head of Department of Politics and International Relations, Goldsmiths University of London
• Moderator: Péter STEPPER, Senior Researcher, Antall József Knowledge Centre

Input Lecture:

Ralph WILDE, Member of the Faculty of Laws, University College London

Panel II ▸ Political realities of Euro-Atlantic integration

• Anna OROSZ, Research Fellow, Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Jovana MAROVIĆ, Executive Director, Politikon Network and Member of BiEPAG
• Tobias RÜTTERSHOFF, Head of Albanian Office, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
• Ralph WILDE, Member of the Faculty of Laws, University College London
• Moderator: Péter DOBROWIECKI, Head of EU-V4 Department, Antall József Knowledge Centre

The conference will be held in English.

The event is organised in partnership with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and with the support of the NATO Public Diplomacy Division and the British Embassy in Budapest.