On April 8, 2024, Sofia Tech Park hosted the third edition of the EU Meets the Balkans forum – a strategic platform for dialogue between the European Union and the Western Balkans.

Organized by the European Liberal Forum (ELF), the ALDE Party, and the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria, with institutional support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, the forum brought together leading European and Balkan leaders, diplomats, experts, journalists, and young people from the region.

European integration as an urgent necessity

Amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine and an escalating geopolitical crisis, this year’s edition of the forum clearly emphasized: EU enlargement is no longer a political choice, but a strategic imperative. Participants discussed how strengthening ties between the EU and the Western Balkans is key to building a secure, stable, and prosperous Europe.

In the opening session, welcoming remarks were delivered by Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Member of the European Parliament and Co-President of the ALDE Party; Dr. Solomon Passy, President of the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria; and Alva Finn, Executive Director of the European Liberal Forum. They stressed the need for dialogue based on political will and tangible results.

High-level political messages

Key speakers included Maria Gabriel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria; Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement; and Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, who addressed the forum via video message. Their speeches reaffirmed the commitment of European institutions to support not only political, but also institutional and social progress in the region.

Discussions on regional security and responsibility

The first discussion session – a fireside chat – featured Miroslav Lajčák, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade–Pristina Dialogue, and Nafisa Latic, journalist at TRT World. Their conversation focused on the challenges in Serbia–Kosovo relations as an important test of the effectiveness of European diplomacy.

This was followed by the forum’s main panel: “Accelerated Integration – An Investment in European Security,” moderated by Federica Mogherini, former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and current Rector of the College of Europe. The discussion centered on the idea that European enlargement can no longer be delayed. It brought together foreign ministers and senior representatives from Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey. The panelists expressed a clear commitment to reforms, while also calling for stronger support from Brussels.

Voices from the Balkans: visions and perspectives

The forum concluded with a second fireside chat featuring Ivan Krastev, Chair of the Centre for Liberal Strategies, and Boyko Vassilev, host and producer at Bulgarian National Television. They focused on issues of identity, integration prospects, and how regional politics can adapt to a rapidly changing international environment.

The forum as a driver of real progress

The third edition of EU Meets the Balkans was not merely a continuation of an established tradition – it was an affirmation of the Balkans’ shared European destiny. The forum not only reinforced political will but also provided a platform for voices that align regional vision with the European project. In times of uncertainty and division, such events offer the most vital thing: a concrete perspective for a shared future.