On 15th November, 14h-18h, Greens/EFA MEPs Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, Thomas Waitz and Tineke Strik organised the ‘Green & Peaceful Future in the Western Balkans - The next steps towards our shared European future’ conference.

This event followed on from the success of the Greens/EFA conference ‘Green Wave in the Western Balkans - Challenges and Perspectives’ in June 2022, and was organised in the context of further green progress and additional challenges in the region. 

The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament has historically been at the forefront of supporting EU enlargement. In the current security context, a strong and united EU that brings security and prosperity to the whole continent is needed now more than ever. We continue to work together with our green counterparts across the region on our shared goals - security, energy, environment protection and safeguarding European values including democracy, media freedom and fundamental rights. As we head towards EU elections in 2024, it is crucial that the current momentum on enlargement is not lost. With this event, Greens/EFA MEPs brought together key actors from the region to discuss energy security, enlargement and democracy.

We believe that the future of the Western Balkans is in Europe. We have common goals and shared challenges - security in the face of Russian aggression, safeguarding democracy and our fundamental freedoms, upholding the rule of law and protecting the environment. In this new security context, this is true now more than ever. But this means real dialogue and sincere cooperation.

During the event, we engaged in dialogue, cooperated with our counterparts in the Western Balkans and found common ground on complex issues. We discussed recent developments and ongoing challenges in the Western Balkans, including in the context of the next steps for European integration in the region. This is a crucial time. We must not lose this momentum for enlargement. With EU elections next year and snap elections in Serbia in just a few weeks, we must keep working in close contact with civil society, NGOs, and national green parties. However, the media environment and political pluralism continue to be a real concern in Serbia. We know that the opposition is marginalised and that ruling parties continue to dominate to a huge extent. Analysis from CRTA shows us that Vucik made 233 unique addresses on TV channels with national coverage in 2023 - that’s on average 24 unique addresses per month. The overwhelming majority of coverage of the opposition was portrayed negatively.

But in spite of this, I am encouraged by the progress made by the opposition in Serbia, but also in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and elsewhere. When I visit the region, I am energised by a strong, highly educated civil society fighting for democratic changes, and a more peaceful society in difficult, often autocratic circumstances. 

Now we are opening up the accession process to Ukraine and Moldova, but we are not making progress with our neighbours in the Western Balkans - what message does this send to those who are out on the streets, demonstrating against democratic backsliding and for European values?

More info here. You can access the recording of the conference (starting from 00:42:40) here (password - 0ER.KK$8) and photos here.