Impact and Potential Impacts of the War in Ukraine on the Western Balkans

Dear Sir/Madam

The Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia (EACS) invites you to a round table on »Impact and Potential Impacts of the War in Ukraine on the Western Balkans«, which will be held on April 5, 2023 at 16.00 / 4.00 PM (CET) on the Zoom platform.
The purpose of this roundtable is to assess the actual and potential effects of the war in Ukraine on the complex political and security situation in the Western Balkans. In the past year, several links between the crisis in Ukraine and various crises or situations in the Western Balkans have been made clear. Speakers from the region will assess the various situations in the region in the context of the war in Ukraine. Finally, we will try to suggest ways to reduce the negative impact on the Western Balkans.

The context: The armed conflict in Ukraine is a growing challenge to peace and security in Europe. The crisis in Ukraine reached a new level in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea, continued with the uprising of ethnic Russians in the eastern parts of Ukraine, and reached unimaginable levels with the Russian military attack on Ukraine about a year ago. This crisis has affected the security situation throughout Europe and could seriously affect the Western Balkans as well. This region suffers from several persistent political problems, such as the unresolved status of Kosovo, strained relations between Serbia and Kosovo, problematic cohesion and uncertain future of Bosnia and Herzegovina, increasing radicalization in domestic politics, potential secessions, worrying levels of crime, illegal migration, etc.

Program:
Moderator: prof. dr. Iztok Prezelj, President of the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia & Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana.

• Speakers:
• dr. Sonja Stojanović Gajić, Member of the Executive Board and former Director of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, Founder of Public Engagement;
• prof. dr. Sead Turčalo, Dean, Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Sarajevo;
• amb. Valentin Inzko, Former High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (2009-2021) and former EU Special Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (2009-2011);
• dr. Ramadan Ilazi, Head of Research, Kosovar Centre for Security Studies.
• Debate
  Interested participants should register at [email protected]. Please provide your full name and institution when you apply. Applicants will receive the Zoom link some days before the event.
  For any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
  Kind regards,
  prof. dr. Iztok Prezelj
  President of the EACS