Bridging Values and Geopolitics

The EU and the Western Balkans in the eve of the next Enlargement Invitation: Bridging Values and Geopolitics. The EU and the Western Balkans in the eve of the next Enlargement | 5 November, 10:45-14:30 | Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the EU, Avenue de Cortenbergh 16 At the end of October 2026 the Institute of Central Europe will publish the third edition of its “The EU’s geopolitical turn towards the Western Balkans” policy paper, focusing on the relations between the EU and the Western Balkans over the last year. Given the increased focus on the enlargement perspective, since 2022 this report explores the political dynamics between the EU and the Balkan states. Uneven pace of progress and emerging areas of discontent with the EU among some of the candidates spark questions about the EU’s approach, especially in light of its basic values and broader geopolitical demands. No less important remains the question about EU’s own readiness to move ahead with its enlargement agenda. The seminar will serve to present the results of this report and enable discussion on it. The publication of the report will coincide with the next edition of the European Commission's enlargement package. It will therefore take place at a time when the attention of the entire EU is focused on the countries covered by the enlargement policy. The assessments contained in the report, based on independent expertise by international experts, can be used in discussions on the state of readiness of the Western Balkan countries for membership, and consequently also on the enlargement package itself. The seminar will also be an opportunity to exchange views on whether we can afford the Western Balkans to remain outside the EU in the long term, or whether we should strive with all our might, both on the side of the EU and the aspiring countries, to integrate them quickly. We will try to answer the question of whether the social, political and economic cost of remaining outside the EU does not exceed the costs associated with taking in new members from the Western Balkans, and if so, by how much. Poland, which joined the EU more than two decades ago, is an example of a country that has undergone a successful political and economic transformation. Currently, largely due to its membership in the EU, it has become one of the key economies of the Globe. We believe that the example of Poland can serve as a signpost for the countries of the Western Balkans on their way to the EU membership. The seminar will start with the opening remarks by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the EU, Ms. Agnieszka Bartol and the key note speech by Deputy Director of the Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Michał Giergoń. The main session of the seminar will be dedicated to presentation of the Institute of Central Europe Policy Paper’s findings and recommendations on the EU-Western Balkans relations, followed by Q&A. The panel discussion will focus on the cost of non-enlargement. The event and will be followed by a networking lunch. Provisional agenda: 10.45-11.30 Arrival of Guests 11.30-11.45 Opening remarks • Agnieszka Bartol, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the EU • Anton Saifullayeu, Deputy Director of the Institute of Central Europe 11.45-12.00 Keynote speech • Michał Giergoń, Deputy Director of the Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland 12.00-12.30 Policy paper presentation conclusions and recommendations, author’s voices • Spasimir Domaradzki, Institute of Central Europe • Ivana Radić Milosavljević, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Political Science 12.30-13.20 Panel discussion The cost of non-Enlargement. Regional experience and European perspectives Panelists: • Marko Horvat, COWEB Chair, European External Action Service • Justin Ryan, Chair of COELA Working Party • Spasimir Domaradzki, Institute of Central Europe • Nedžma Džananović, University of Sarajevo • Marija Sosic, Senior Programme Manager – Western Balkans, European Endowment for Democracy (EED) • Moderator: Bartłomiej Krzysztan, Institute of Central Europe 13.20 – 13.30 Closing remarks: Tomasz Wiśniewski, Minister Counsellor, COWEB Delegate & Head of EU Foreign Policy and External Action Unit, Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the EU 13.30-14.30 Lunch