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The integration of the Western Balkans is back on the agenda as a geostrategic priority for the EU following Russia’s large-scale aggression against Ukraine. In this context, the European Council has provided new impetus to accession negotiations with EU candidate countries, while the European Commission has sought to capitalise on the momentum for enlargement through the New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The conference “Advancing EU Enlargement: Italy’s Role and Strategic Convergence on the Western Balkans’ Integration”, to be held in Rome on 15 April 2025, will assess recent progress, discuss challenges and explore concrete measures to accelerate the process while safeguarding its sustainability.
Organisers: Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) and Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and with the support of the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation.