The session "The European Trajectory of the Balkans" will take place on Sunday, December 1, 2024, from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Les Champs Libres (auditorium), as part of the highlight event of the European Dialogues in Rennes. 

Free entry. 

Presentation of the Session 

More than 30 years after the end of the war in the former Yugoslavia, the Western Balkans region still experiences tensions affecting relations between states and populations. The issue of reconciliation remains sensitive, disrupted by external influences seeking to destabilize Europe. In this context, and in the wake of the geopolitical shock of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union reaffirmed in 2023 the European trajectory of the six Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia), while also opening the door to Ukraine and Moldova. 

What challenges do the Balkans face in accelerating this process? Beyond the stereotypes that still weigh on the region, how are civil societies mobilizing to foster dialogue and heal historical wounds? 

Participants 

Elma Hasimbegovic, director of the History Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Besa Luci, editor-in-chief of Kosovo 2.0 (Kosovo), Dejan Ubovic, director of KC GRAD - European Centre for Culture and Debate (Serbia), Boiko Vassilev, editor-in-chief for information and presenter of Panorama on Bulgarian National Television (Bulgaria) 

Moderation: Laurent Geslin, journalist, Euractiv