On the margins of the Bled Strategic Forum, Think Europe and Europe’s Futures Initiative (EFI) brought together senior officials, diplomats and policy experts for an off-the-record exchange on the EU enlargement process and the path ahead for the Western Balkans.
Sabina Lange, Director of Think Europe, and Francesco Rocchetti, Director of Europe’s Futures Initiative, opened the session with welcome remarks, followed by opening remarks from Alexander Schallenberg, President of EFI’s Executive Board.
Discussion ranged widely across regional and institutional questions. Participants examined the dynamics of “gradual integration,” both as a reform pathway and as a response to unanimity constraints in the Council. They looked at the EU’s evolving focus on Albania and Montenegro as accession frontrunners. Iceland’s referendum on resuming accession negotiations drew attention for its potential implications. The shifting US posture and its effects on the strategic environment for the Western Balkans also featured in the exchange. Slovenia’s own perspective on the enlargement debate was set out. The conversation closed on what can be expected from the European Commission in the coming months.
The event underscored the continued importance of sustained dialogue on enlargement policy across institutions and stakeholders in both the EU and candidate countries.
