On June 1^st, 2023, the Center for European Studies organized the Public Panel “The Western Balkans on the Road to the European Union”. The event was organized within the framework of the Jean Monnet Module Project “EU Integration of Western Balkans: Patterns and Issues” (WB-EUPath Module) led by Epoka University and co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the EU. The panel aimed to bring together academics and policymakers to discuss and share their perspectives on the Western Balkan countries’ EU integration dynamics, issues, and challenges with a particular focus on the EU integration path of Albania and Serbia. Chaired by Dr. Jubjana Vila, leader of the WB-EUPath Jean Monnet Module, the panel included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lisen Bashkurti, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences at Epoka University; Dr. Ivana Radic Milosavljevic, member of the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Belgrade; Mr. Aldo Bumçi, former member of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania;  Dr. Christina Griessler, Chair of Comparative Politics at Andrássy Universität Budapest; and Prof. L. Marvin Overby, Director of the School of Public Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lisen Bashkurti delivered his welcoming remarks and offered an overview of the Western Balkan states’ past, present, and the future challenges. Dr. Ivana Radic Milosavljevic presented the political realm, the issues and challenges that dominate the EU integration agenda, as well as the public attitude to EU integration in Serbia. Mr. Aldo Bumçi, provided an analysis of the domestic dynamics affecting democracy and the EU integration process in Albania. Dr. Christina Griessler elaborated on Hungary’s approach and support to the EU integration of the WB countries and the rationale behind it. Prof. L. Marvin Overby, based on an analogy with the USA’s domestic integration process, concluded that integration is an ongoing process, which in the long run can contribute to the consolidation of democracy in the WB countries. The maturity of democratic values and institutions at domestic level and the need for constructive approaches at regional level were emphasized throughout the panel discussion and in addressing the numerous questions of a highly interested audience.

We would like to thank Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lisen Bashkurti, Dr. Ivana Radic Milosavljevic, Mr. Aldo Bumçi, Dr. Christina Griessler, Prof. L. Marvin Overby and all the participants for their dedication, time and contribution to the event.