Epoka University had the honor of hosting the 17th International Conference on the Economies of the Balkan and Eastern European Countries (EBEEC 2025) on May 16–17 in Tirana. Held for the first time in Albania, this annual academic event brought together more than 140 participants from 20 countries, including scholars, researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals.

The two-day conference was organized by Epoka University in collaboration with Democritus University of Thrace (Greece), continuing a long-standing academic partnership. The opening ceremony, held at MAK Albania Hotel, featured welcoming remarks from Epoka’s Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Öztaş, and Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alba Kruja, who emphasized the role of academic institutions in shaping regional economic discourse.

Keynote speakers included Dr. Delina Ibrahimaj, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Business Climate, who discussed the role of national development banks, and Prof. Dr. Pantelis Sklias, Rector of Neapolis University (Cyprus), who addressed the region’s integration path toward the European Union.

On the second day, Epoka University hosted a high-level roundtable discussion on regional cooperation and European integration. The panel featured Ambassador Konstantina Kamitsi of Greece, Prof. Dr. Panagiotis Liargovas (Chairman of KEPE, Greece), and Prof. Sklias, discussing challenges and opportunities for the Western Balkans in the EU accession process.

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in sessions on economic transformation, green development, digital innovation, labor market trends, and regional policy. The presence of international speakers and the diversity of topics reinforced the relevance of EBEEC as a platform for interdisciplinary exchange.

For Epoka University, EBEEC 2025 was a strategic opportunity to position itself as a hub for academic dialogue in Southeastern Europe. It also provided a valuable space for faculty and students to connect with international scholars, expand research networks, and contribute to pressing economic and policy discussions in the region.

The conference concluded with a gala dinner in Durrës, celebrating two days of meaningful exchange and institutional collaboration.