Episode Details
Back to EpisodesA new window of opportunity to bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU?
Description
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed to bring the economies of the Western Balkans and the European Union 'closer' on Monday as she began a four-day tour of the region. Her plan includes a €6 billion investment package, to be delivered on condition the countries make reforms to open up their economies, overcome their conflicts and modernize their administrations. Professor James Ker-Lindsay, who has written extensively on the EU, the Balkans and Southeast Europe, joins Thanos Davelis to break down whether this is a window of opportunity to reinvigorate the EU accession process for the Western Balkans.
You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:
Von der Leyen vows to bring Western Balkan and EU economies 'closer' as four-day visit starts
EU to help Western Balkans reforms with 6 billion euro package - von der Leyen
Cyprus talks to EU, neighbours on humanitarian corridor for Gaza
Christodoulides' bold plan for Gaza welcomed by World Leaders