Friends of the Western Balkans – Pristina

The year 2024 brings crucial elections in the US, UK, and EU, with over 400 million voters, to name a view. This massive election year comes amid rising extremism and calls for EU reforms. For this reason, an open discussion on the upcoming European elections and the interplay between the latter and the process of enlargement is crucial.

Therefore, the network Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB), comprising members of European national parliaments and members of the European Parliament, established by FEPS with the support of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Dialogue Southeast Europe, Renner Institut, Masarykova demokratická akademie, Kalevi Sorsa Foundation, Fondation Jean- Jaurès, Foundation Max van der Stoel, Društvo Progresiva and Olof Palme International Center, gathered for its fifth meeting. The network met to reflect on labour migration between the region (Western Balkans) and Europe and within the region. This is a phenomenon – the so-called ‘brain drain’ – that affects the whole region and whose long- term consequences may also be observed in the democratic institutions and processes.

Finally, the FoWB looked at trends in several countries of the region, particularly those which have just recently faced national elections (Serbia) or will very soon see people going to the polls (North Macedonia).

Once again, the meeting of the FoWB was an opportunity for exchange between decision-makers, academics, activists and analysts from both the EU and the region, aimed at increasing mutual understanding while preparing the ground for accession.

For more information regarding this event, please do not hesitate to contact Julia Wild, Project Officer (julia.wild@feps-europe.eu)