May 17, 2025 – TIRANA – As part of the second day of the 17th annual EBEEC Conference (Economies of the Balkan and Eastern European Countries), EPOKA University welcomed distinguished international speakers for a high-level roundtable discussion focused on regional cooperation and the European integration of the Western Balkans.
Moderated by Prof. Dr. Pavlos Delias of Democritus University of Thrace, the roundtable featured an impressive lineup of panelists: Konstantina Kamitsi, Ambassador of Greece to Albania; Prof. Dr. Panagiotis Liargovas, Chairman of the Centre of Planning and Economic Research (KEPE) and Professor at the University of Peloponnese; and Prof. Dr. Pantelis Sklias, Rector of Neapolis University Pafos, Cyprus.
The event opened with remarks by Ambassador Konstantina Kamitsi, who underscored the importance of diplomatic dialogue and academic collaboration in reinforcing bilateral and regional ties.
Prof. Panagiotis Liargovas followed with a powerful address stressing that “regional cooperation is a force multiplier.” He argued that the path to EU integration cannot be pursued in isolation and emphasized the catalytic role of cross-border collaboration. Citing initiatives such as the Berlin Process and the Common Regional Market, he called for deeper engagement of civil society and academia to achieve tangible outcomes in trade, mobility, and cultural exchange.
"Greece has played—and will continue to play—a pivotal role," Liargovas asserted. He highlighted Greece’s strategic, economic, and cultural engagement in the Western Balkans and its commitment to building partnerships that deliver meaningful solidarity and development across the region.
In a compelling speech titled “The Strategic Imperative of EU Integration for the Western Balkans,” Prof. Pantelis Sklias emphasized that European Union membership remains the most viable path to peace, prosperity, and reconciliation in a historically fragmented region.
He outlined the geopolitical importance of the Western Balkans as a crossroads vulnerable to influence from external powers such as Russia, China, and Turkey. Sklias stressed that anchoring the region within the EU is vital to safeguarding democratic values and regional stability. "The European Union must not allow a geopolitical vacuum in its own backyard," he warned.
Touching on issues of security and governance, he explained how unresolved challenges like corruption, organized crime, and political instability could have far-reaching consequences for the EU. Integration, he argued, strengthens institutional frameworks and offers hope for long-term democratic consolidation.
Both Liargovas and Sklias agreed that EU integration is a two-way street. While the Western Balkans stand to gain economically, politically, and socially, the EU itself benefits from a more cohesive and secure southeastern Europe.
“Europe is not complete without the Western Balkans,” Liargovas affirmed, while Sklias highlighted the transformative impact of EU programs such as Erasmus+ and the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) in forging a shared European identity.
However, both scholars acknowledged the hurdles ahead: EU enlargement fatigue, unresolved bilateral disputes, and the persistence of nationalist rhetoric in some candidate countries. The speakers urged a renewed political will—both from the EU and from Western Balkan governments—to pursue genuine reforms and cooperation.
The roundtable at EPOKA University offered a timely and insightful exploration of the dynamics shaping the future of the Western Balkans. As part of the broader EBEEC 2025 program, it reflected the conference’s mission to bridge academic research with real-world policy challenges.
With Greece reaffirming its role as a regional anchor and thought leaders calling for enhanced integration efforts, the event served as a powerful reminder: a stronger Europe is one that includes and uplifts its neighbors—not later, but now.