Policy Dialogue with :
Marton Benedek
International Coordinator, Directorate General for Home Affairs
International Coordination Unit, European Commission
Mario Nobilo
Ambassador of Croatia to Belgium
Ivana Dragičević
Executive Producer, International News, N1 Television Croatia
Sanel Huskić
Public Policy Analyst, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Igor Bandovic
Senior Programme Manager, European Fund for the Balkans
Corina Stratulat
Senior Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre (Moderator)
Wednesday 7 October 2015, 11.00-12.30 (registration from 10.40)
EPC Auditorium (3rd floor), 14-16 Rue du Trône, 1000 Brussels
If there was ever a shadow of doubt that the Balkans are firmly anchored in the bosom of Europe, it was dispelled recently by the refugee crisis. Tens of thousands of people from the Middle East and Africa have been crossing from a member state – Greece – through two candidate countries in the Balkans – Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia – to re-enter the EU – Hungary and Croatia – on their way to the richer Northern Europe. Serving as a transit route for the influx of refugees, the Balkan countries – just like their EU neighbours – are simultaneously offering help, struggling to cope with logistical hurdles, panicking, and closing borders. The call for collective action in response to this situation could not be clearer. What are the key problems on the ground in the Balkan countries affected by the flow of passing refugees ? How have individual Balkan countries responded to the challenges posed by the refugee crisis ? What should be done to strengthen cooperation among EU countries and aspirant member states in the region ? How can the EU and the European Commission help with this crisis in a lasting fashion ?
European Policy Centre
www.epc.eu
