Wednesday, 17 November, 14.30–16.30 (registration from 14.00)
Scotland House, Rond-Point Schuman 6, 1040 Brussels
The European Policy Centre (EPC), in cooperation with the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB), is delighted to invite you to a Policy Dialogue on The Rocky Road Towards ‘normality’: Public opinion in the Balkans on Wednesday 17 November 2010.
Following the European Commission’s evaluations of progress of the Western Balkans towards European integration, the new Gallup Balkan Monitor on public opinion in the region offers insights into citizens’ views of the EU. It was once said that the aim of EU policy in the Balkans was to make them ‘boring’ countries. The findings of the public opinion surveys highlight that indeed the Balkan citizens are putting their fears of war and ethnic polarisation behind them and are instead concentrating on their own institutions and the impact of the financial crisis on their day-to-day lives. They appear to be feeling more represented by their politicians and perceive corruption to be decreasing.
The past year has seen the EU’s Balkan agenda moving apace, from visa liberalisation, the Resolution on Kosovo, and the Opinions expected from the Commission on the applications from Montenegro, Albania and later Serbia. How do these developments affect the perceptions of the Balkans and the prospects of the accession process and the future of these potential EU member states?
These findings will be discussed by a panel, which will be moderated by Neil Macdonald, Financial Times correspondent in Belgrade, and will include Robert Manchin, CEO of Gallup Europe, Catherine Wendt, Head of Communications Unit, DG Enlargement, European Commission, Eduard Kukan MEP, Chair, Delegation for relations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo, European Parliament, Veton Surroi, Editor of the newspaper Koha Ditore, and Rosa Balfour, Senior Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre.
Please confirm your participation by replaying to this email:
European Policy Centre
Résidence Palace, Bloc C - 4th floor
155 Rue de la Loi ; 1040 Brussels
Tel: 02 231 03 40 ; Fax: 02 231 07 04 - 02 230 74 72
Email: info@epc.eu
www.epc.eu
EFB does not cover travel and accommodation expenses related to attending the event.
