YEAs at ‘Future of EU’ forum in Madrid

From 25th to 27th October our YEAs Dzulisa Otuzbir, Mirjon Mulgeci and Adrijana Nikitovic had the opportunity to take part in the Forum on the Future of EU in Madrid, Spain organised by EQUIPO EUROPA.

As a part of Forum, Young European Ambassadors organized a workshop “Next Stop: EU – Western Balkans Journey” that combined quizzes, policy debates, and a cultural segment, creating an engaging atmosphere where participants explored the EU journey of Western Balkans. Feedback from attendees indicated that this was one of the Forum’s most enjoyable sessions, blending fun with a deep understanding of the region’s EU path, cultural heritage, and history.

Adrijana Nikitovic, YEA from Sebia participated in a debate “The New Momentum For The Western Balkans: Overcoming Enlargement Fatigue and Advancing Towards EU Integration“. The debate explored the current challenges and opportunities surrounding the EU integration of the Western Balkans. Panelists discussed the growing sense of „enlargement fatigue“ within the EU, characterized by skepticism towards further expansion, and how it impacts candidate countries in the region. The discussion also focused on new strategies to revitalize the accession process, strengthen political and economic ties, and address concerns related to governance, rule of law, and regional stability.In the afternoon YEAs welcomed participants at NGO fair where they presented YEA network and exchanged ideas with peers.

Sunday’s panels featured former senior officials discussing Spain’s role in EU enlargement, emphasizing the nation’s historical support yet strategic reservations. One remark that stood out came from Alfonso Dastis, Spain’s current ambassador to Hungary, who said, “The Western Balkans produces more history than it can consume.” This comment captured the unique complexities faced by the region in its path to EU integration.
The final panel involved German and Austrian ambassadors to Spain, again focusing on the theme of enlargement. The discussion reinforced the strategic significance of welcoming new members, with the ambassadors advocating a patient yet supportive approach.

Except the organisers, there were also a lot of other representatives from different NGOs, projects and organisations mostly from Spain but also from other countries including Eastern Partnership. The Forum on the Future of the EU offered valuable insights into the perspectives on EU enlargement, with a particular focus on the challenges, stages, and future direction for candidate countries. The common theme across these sessions was EU enlargement, with speakers acknowledging the slow pace of the process and the need for EU reforms. Many agreed that in light of current geopolitical tensions, the EU should adopt a more proactive stance towards the Western Balkans and Eastern European candidates. Despite its challenges, the EU continues to be one of the most successful unions, sustaining peace and cooperation for over 70 years. There was noticeable emphasis on Eastern Partnership candidates over Western Balkan countries during the Forum, yet this did not diminish the significance of the Western Balkans in the enlargement conversation.