Tuesday 17 November, 14.30–16.30 (registration from 14.00)
at the Résidence Palace, Polak Room, 155 Rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels
Freer travel, better employment prospects and improvements in the rule of law are amongst the most coveted benefits that membership of the EU would bring to the Balkan countries. The latest results of the Gallup Balkan Monitor public opinion surveys find that citizens in the Western Balkans support accession to the EU, because it would help strengthen democratic and living standards in the region. The only exception is Croatia, the country closest to joining the EU. The other side of the coin is that national governments and political parties of the region do not inspire their citizens’ confidence.
What do these findings tell us about the prospects of the accession process and the future of these potential EU member states ? And what do they tell us about political developments in the region ? These insights and issues will be discussed by a panel including Robert Manchin, CEO of Gallup Europe, who will also illustrate the most important findings of the Gallup Balkan Monitor, Giuliano Amato, former Prime Minister of Italy and former Chairman of the International Commission on the Balkans, Ivan Krastev, Chairman of the Centre for Liberal Strategies, Sofia, and Zeljko Pantelic, Journalist, Dnevnik newspaper correspondent in Brussels. The dialogue will be chaired by Rosa Balfour, EPC Senior Policy Analyst.
European Policy Centre
Tel : 02 231 03 40 ; Fax : 02 231 07 04 - 02 230 74 72
info@epc.eu
www.epc.eu
