Europe Program

On October 9-11, 2024, the Southeast Europe Association and the Aspen Institute Germany, with generous support from the German Federal Foreign Office, will host the Civil Society and Think Tank Forum 2024 Preparatory Forum in Berlin. This will be the second of two major events within this year’s Civil Society Forum. Since the second Berlin Process Summit in 2015, the Civil […]

The Aspen Institute Germany in cooperation with the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS) organized an in-person roundtable discussion on the topic “Western Balkans Growth Plan: Navigating Digital Integration with the EU” with Maria Adebahr, Cyber Ambassador, German Federal Foreign Office, and Dr. Ramadan Ilazi, Head of Research, Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS), moderated […]

On July 9-11, 2024, the Southeast Europe Association and the Aspen Institute Germany, with generous support from the German Federal Foreign Office, will host the Civil Society and Think Tank Forum 2024 Preparatory Forum in Skopje, North Macedonia. This will be the first of two major events this year and will lead up to the […]

On June 3-6, 2024, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a high-level conference in Berlin entitled “New Momentum: Western Balkans on the Road to EU Enlargement”. The Russian aggression against Ukraine has significantly changed the geopolitical situation in Europe. In the past year, the geopolitical awakening of the EU has also led to a new dynamic in […]

On April 18, 2024, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a background discussion on the current situation in the Western Balkans between representatives of the German Government and staffers of the German Bundestag. Jenny Schultz, Desk Officer Serbia and North Macedonia, Division 302 – South-Eastern and Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and […]

On December 5, 2023, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a background discussion on the current situation in the Western Balkans between representatives of the German Government and staffers of the German Bundestag. Dr. Malte Hauschild, Head of Division EB5 EU enlargement, Southeastern Europe, Turkey, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action; Marion Fleuth-Leferink, Division 302 […]

The Aspen Institute Germany in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro hosted a high-level conference in Podgorica, on December 11-14, 2023, entitled “Digitalization and Democracy”. Digital developments are increasingly influencing the core aspects of democratic life. They can strengthen democratic processes and improve social participation, inclusion, and equality. Alternatively, they can undermine […]

On November 8, 2023, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a discussion titled “Digital Transformation and Its Pitfalls: Cybersecurity, Hate Speech, and Disinformation in the Western Balkans” in Berlin. Besides Dr. Regine Grienberger, Cyber Ambassador, German Federal Foreign Office, high-level representatives from the Western Balkans attended the event: Josip Brkić, Liza Gashi, Fatmire Isaki and Adia […]

The Aspen Institute Germany hosted its annual Working Group Western Balkans on November 07-08, 2023, in Berlin. The goal of this working group was to develop concrete policy recommendations in preparation for the Western Balkans Conference on “Digitalization and Democratization” and to discuss the results of this year’s Foresight Process. Moreover, the working group took […]

On June 16, 2023, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an exclusive roundtable discussion with H.E. President Dr. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu. The discussion was moderated by Helmut Kranzmaier, Board Member of the Association of Friends of the Aspen Institute Germany and Partner at Bridgemaker. The discussion offered the opportunity for an open exchange in a small, exclusive setting […]

The Aspen Institute Germany and the Southeast Europe Association had the honor of organizing an international conference on Bosnia and Herzegovina, titled “New Government, New Reform Efforts?”, which was generously supported by the German Federal Foreign Office. The in-person conference was held on Monday, June 26, 2023. The upcoming months were crucial for the future […]

On July 6, 2023, the Aspen Institute Germany held a foresight process workshop as part of the project “Western Balkans Initiative: Engagement for Progress and Stability” kindly supported by the German Federal Foreign Office. Under the title “Future of the Western Balkans in 2043”, a strategic foresight for the political development of the region was developed […]

On May 9, 2023, the Aspen Institute Germany, in cooperation with the German Foreign Office, organized a panel discussion titled “Zeitenwende of the EU Enlargement – How to Boost the Process?”. The panel featured Ambassador Catalina Cullas, Director for Relations with EU Member States, Cross-Border and Regional Cooperation, EU External Affairs Divisions E 21-E 25, German […]

The importance of European integration in preserving peace and sustaining prosperity has become ever clearer since Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Thirty years after the establishment of the European Single Market, we would like to address how its effectiveness can be increased. Specifically, how can an inclusive industrial and financial policy look like? Which […]

On November 24, 2022 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a panel discussion titled “The EU’s Geopolitical Awakening – New Impetus for the EU Integration Process of the Western Balkans?” in conclusion of the 2022 Western Stakeholder Forum. Besides Manuel Sarrazin, the Federal Government Special Representative for the Countries of the Western Balkans, high-level representatives from the […]

On November 23-24, 2022, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted its annual Western Balkans Working Group in Berlin, concluding the 2022 Western Balkans Stakeholder Forum. The goal of this working group was to provide an informal setting for an exchange between high-level representatives from the Western Balkans, selected experts, as well as decision-makers from the German government […]

On November 1-2, 2022, the Aspen Institute Germany and the Southeast Europe Association jointly hosted the second part of the Civil Society & Think Tank Forum: a conference in Berlin with more than 100 participants. Supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, this conference allowed civil society representatives from the Western Balkans to present policy […]

On October 19-20, the Aspen Institute Germany was co-hosting the Digital Preparatory Workshop of the Civil Society & Think Tank Forum 2022 in the framework of the Berlin Process. In partnership with the Southeast Europe Association and with generous support from the German Federal Foreign Office, Aspen Germany provided a platform for civil society representatives […]

On October 13, 2022 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an exclusive breakfast discussion with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Republic of Kosovo. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner. The breakfast, on the occasion of the official state visit to Germany, offered the […]

On October 4-7, 2022, the Aspen Institute Germany in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, hosted a high-level conference on the topic “Green Agenda for the Western Balkans” in Skopje, North Macedonia. The aim of this conference was to offer a platform for high-level participants from the Western […]

On September 07, 2022, the Aspen Institute Germany in cooperation with the Kosovo Think Tank “Group for Legal and Political Studies” hosted a roundtable discussion on the topic “Evaluating Kosovo’s Position in the Dialogue with Serbia: What is at Stake?” with Arbër Fetahu, Research Fellow, Group for Legal and Political Studies, GLPS, and Dr. Frédéric […]

On June 21-24, 2022, Aspen Germany held a stimulating closed-door conference “Democratization and the Role of Parliaments in the Western Balkans” as part of “Aspen Western Balkans Stakeholder Forum 2022”, which was kindly supported by the German Federal Foreign Office. With over 40 distinguished members of parliament, government officials, activists, and think tank leaders from the […]

Among the economic consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are surging energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and increasing inflation. Europe’s economic recovery from the economic aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic is therefore slowing. With households’ purchasing power declining throughout Europe, how should we deal with the rise in prices for energy and other commodities in […]

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the coming-together of liberal countries mark a “turning point”. What decisions are now pending in Europe, how should they be taken? Which developments and EU measures should decision-makers in politics, business, and science prepare for?  On May 18, 2022 from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm CEST, the Aspen Institute Germany will […]

On March 16, 2022, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “Towards the Elections in Serbia – the State of Democracy and the Future of the EU Accession Process” with Bojan Elek, Deputy Director, Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP), and Ambassador Susanne Schütz, Director for South-Eastern Europe, Turkey, OSCE and […]

On January 27, 2022, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “EU Enlargement Process of the Western Balkans – How to Improve the Dynamics?” with Laura Ahrens, Head of Division E12, European Department General, German Federal Foreign Office, Leonor Guy, Desk Officer – EU Enlargement, EU-Western Balkans, EU-Turkey, French Ministry for […]

On December 7, 2021, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “Kosovo’s New Government – Expectations Fulfilled?” with Dr. Frédéric Jörgens, Deputy Head of the Western Balkans Division, German Federal Foreign Office, Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, Member of the European Parliament, Alliance 90/The Greens, and Visar Xhambazi, Policy Researcher and Project Manager, […]

On November 24, 2021, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted its annual Western Balkans Working Group in a digital format. The working group offered a closed-door and confidential platform for a select group of high-level decision-makers and experts from the Western Balkans, the EU, and key member states to discuss the current state of the EU […]

On November 2, 2021 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “European Security: Towards Strategic Autonomy?” H.E. Eva-Maria Liimets, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, H.E. Claire Raulin,Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the French Republic to the Political and Security Committee of the Council of the European Union, […]

On October 19, 2021 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a closed-door online expert workshop on “Media Freedom in the Western Balkans”. Media freedom is a crucial component of the reform and democratization processes of the Western Balkan countries, but it is faced with numerous challenges throughout the region. The recent developments in the context of the […]

On September 29, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a closed-door online Expert Workshop on “Overcoming Barriers to the Implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans”. Following the European Green Deal, the countries of the Western Balkans have committed themselves to ambitious climate goals in the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda. However, the political […]

On September 10, 2021, Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on “Energy Transition in Serbia – How to Ensure Social Justice and Sustainability?”. Frank Aletter, Managing Board Member, German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Mirjana Jovanović, Programme Manager for Energy, Climate, and Environment, Belgrade Open School, and Sonja Risteska, Project Manager Southeast Europe, Agora Energiewende, shared […]

On September 15, 2021, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “EU Integration of the Western Balkans: How to Revive a Stalling Process?”. Simonida Kacarska, Director of the European Policy Institute in Skopje (EPI) and Member of the Think for Europe Network (TEN); Gerald Knaus, Founding Chairman of the European Stability […]

On July 7, 2021, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a debriefing on the Berlin Process. The debriefing offered a small circle of select experts and decisionmakers the opportunity to receive first-hand insights from the summit as well as the thematic ministerial meetings and accompanying forums (Youth Forum, Civil Society & Think Tank Forum) and to […]

On June 28, 2021, the Aspen Institute Germany, together with the Aspen Institute Central Europe, hosted an online discussion on the topic “The EU on the Global Stage – Changing Relations with the U.S., China, and Russia?” with Dr. Caroline King, Global Head Business Development, Government Affairs, SAP SE; Dr. Sergey Lagodinsky, Member of the […]

On July 05, 2021, the Aspen Institute Germany, in cooperation with the Southeast Europe Association and supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, organized the Western Balkans “Civil Society & Think Tank Forum II: Berlin 2021” of this year’s Berlin Process Summit. Throughout six panel discussions, civil society representatives from the Western Balkans discussed a […]

On June 22, 2021, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “North Macedonia’s Path to the EU – What Comes Next?” with Sabine Stöhr, Director for the EU Financial Framework and EU Policies, German Federal Foreign Office, and Marko Troshanovski, President, Institute for Democracy “Societas Civilis” – Skopje. The discussion was […]

On May 26, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a closed-door online Expert Workshop on “Implementing the Green Agenda: Decarbonization of the Economy in the Western Balkans.” The foreseen decarbonization of the economy as spelled out in the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans will strongly affect businesses in the Western Balkans region. This is even […]

On June 1 – 2, 2021, the Aspen Institute Germany, in cooperation with the Southeast Europe Association and supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, organized the Western Balkans “Civil Society & Think Tank Forum I: Road to Berlin” of this year’s Berlin Process Summit. Over the course of two days, in multiple panel discussions […]

On May 17, 2021, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “Albania After the Elections – What’s Next?” with Alba Çela, Executive Director, Albanian Institute for International Studies, Stine Klapper, Head of Office, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Tirana, and Ambassador Susanne Schütz, Director for South-Eastern Europe, Turkey, OSCE and Council of Europe, German Federal […]

On May 3, 2021 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “Open Strategic Autonomy: The Future of the EU’s Economic and Trade Policy?” with Dr. Sabine Weyand, Director-General, Directorate-General for Trade, European Commission, Professor Thomas Philippon, Max L. Heine Professor of Finance, Stern School of Business, New York University and Member […]

On April 22, 2021, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “Reforms, Geopolitics, Covid-19: What Future for Serbia’s EU Aspirations?” with Nikola Burazer, Programme Director, Centre for Contemporary Politics, and Thomas Motak, Deputy Head of Division E12, EU External Affairs (EU Enlargement, European Neighbourhood Policy, EU External Financing Instruments), German Federal […]

On April 14, 2021 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “EU, International, and Domestic Affairs: What Lies Ahead for Bosnia and Herzegovina?” with Anida Šabanović, Director, Foreign Policy Initiative BH; Ambassador Johann Sattler, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina and European Union Special Representative […]

On March 26, 2021 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “The First 100 Days of the New Government in Montenegro – Expectations Fulfilled?” with Dr. Dušan Reljić, Head of Brussels Office, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), and Dr. Zlatko Vujović, President of the Governing Board, Centre for […]

On March 18-19, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted the first meeting of its 2021 Western Balkans Stakeholder Forum on “Supporting Reconciliation Processes in the Western Balkans.” In a closed-door workshop on March 18, we gathered over 30 regional and international experts and practitioners to discuss the way forward for reconciliation in the Western Balkans and […]

On February 18, 2021 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a conversation on “Kosovo: Elections, Coalitions, and Euro-Atlantic Prospects” between Veton Surroi, Journalist, Writer, Politician, and Civil Society Activist, and Valeska Esch, Deputy Executive Director and Program Director Europe, Aspen Institute Germany. 13 years after the Republic of Kosovo declared its independence, the young country held its fifth […]

On February 11, 2021 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a background discussion on the current situation in the Western Balkans between representatives of the German Government and staffers of the German Bundestag. Christiane Hullmann, Head of Division 209 Western Balkans at the German Federal Foreign Office, Matthias Lüttenberg, Head of Division 212 Bilateral Relations to […]

On February 11, 2021 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online roundtable discussion on the topic “The EU Accession Process: A Key to Socio-Economic Development in the Western Balkans?” with Dr. Alban Hashani, Executive Director at the Institute for Development Research Riinvest, Kosovo; Adis Muhović, Executive Director at the Centre for Policy and Governance (CPU), […]

On December 16, 2020, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an Online Discussion on “Between the German Council Presidency and the Bundestag Elections: Ideas for the Future of Europe”. After a short presentation of the results of a Strategic Foresight Process on “The Future of Europe” organized by Aspen Germany over the summer, State Secretary Miguel […]

On December 9, 2020 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted its digital Western Balkans Working Group. The working group offered a closed-door and confidential platform for a select group of high-level decision-makers and experts from the Western Balkans, Germany, the EU and the U.S. to discuss in an informal setting the current state and key challenges […]

On December 9, 2020, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “What Future for the EU Enlargement in Pandemic Times?” with Florian Bieber, Professor for Southeast Europe at the University of Graz, Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Milena Lazarević, Programme Director at the European Policy Centre (CEP) […]

On November 26, 2020 Aspen Germany hosted an online discussion called “Montenegro After the Elections – A Shift in the Political Landscape”. Milica Kovačević, President of the Center for Democratic Transition (CDT), Biljana Papović, Deputy Executive Director at the Center for Democratic Transition (CDT), and Matthias Lüttenberg, Head of Division 212 Bilateral Relations to the […]

On November 12, Aspen Germany concluded its series of expert workshops on the effects of the pandemic in the region with a discussion on “Regional Cooperation and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Western Balkans”. The event gathered a select group of experts and decision-makers from the countries of the Western Balkans, the European Union as […]

On November 11, the third issue of Aspen Germany’s digital expert workshop series on “The COVID-19 Pandemic in the Western Balkans: Consequences and Policy Approaches” took place. The topic of the workshop was “Economic and Social Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Western Balkans: How to Respond?”. Regional and international experts as well as […]

The German Federal Foreign Office, the Southeast Europe Association, and the Aspen Institute Germany organized an international conference entitled “Young People, Migration, and the Demographic Challenge in the Western Balkans”, from October 28 to 30, 2020. The three-day online event was part of the official program of the German Presidency of the Council of the […]

On October 8, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “Prospects for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue” with Miroslav Lajčák, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and Other Western Balkan Regional Issues, Sonja Licht, President, Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence (BFPE), Naim Rashiti, Executive Director, Balkans Policy Research Group (BPRG), and Susanne […]

On September 22, 2020 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a background discussion on the current situation in the Western Balkans between representatives of the German Government and staffers of the German Bundestag. Claudia Brinkmann, European Relations with EU Member States, EU Enlargement, External Relations at the German Federal Chancellery, Sascha Fuzul, Division EC4 – EU-Enlargement, Southeastern Europe, […]

On September 17, 2020 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on “Albania’s EU Integration: A Reform Laden Path”. Lutfi Dervishi, Member of the Board, Institute for Political Studies (ISP), Christiane Hullmann, Head of Division 209 Western Balkans, German Federal Foreign Office, Afrim Krasniqi, Executive Director, Institute for Political Studies (ISP), and Christian Schmidt, […]

On September 24, 2020 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted the second issue of its Online Expert Workshop Series “The COVID-19 Pandemic in the Western Balkans: Consequences and Policy Approaches“. The closed-door workshop focused on “The Changing Roles of Key International Actors in the Western Balkans Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis” and gathered a select group of […]

On September 10-11, 2020 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a digital conference on the topic of “Emigration from the Western Balkans – Addressing the Challenge“. The conference offered a closed-door and confidential platform for a select group of high-level decision-makers from the Western Balkans, Germany, the EU as well as international organizations to identify and […]

On September 3, 2020 Aspen Germany hosted a public virtual discussion called „North Macedonia After Elections – A Clear Path to EU Accession Negotiations?“ in cooperation with the European Policy Institute (EPI) from Skopje. Simonida Kacarska, Director of the European Policy Institute, Matthias Lüttenberg, Head of Division 212 Bilateral Relations to the Countries of Central, […]

On June 23-25, the Aspen Institute Germany together with the Southeast Europe Association hosted a digital expert workshop series on “Causes, Effects, and Policy Approaches – Addressing Emigration from the Western Balkans.” The event provided a forum for more than 30 experts from the Western Balkan and the EU in the field of migration and […]

On June 22, 2020 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a background discussion on the current situation in the Western Balkans between representatives of the German Government and staffers of the German Bundestag. Alexander Jung, Deputy Head of Division 212 Bilateral Relations to the Countries of Central, Southeastern and Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus and Central Asia […]

On June 17, 2020, the Aspen Institute Germany and the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) hosted an online discussion on the topic “Viktor Orbán’s Growing Interest in the Western Balkans“ with Goran Buldioski, Director of the Berlin Office of Open Society Foundations and Director of the Open Society Initiative for Europe (OSIFE), Adnan Ćerimagić, […]

On June 9, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted the first issue of its online Expert Workshop Series „The COVID-19 Pandemic in the Western Balkans: Consequences and Policy Approaches“. The closed-door workshop focused on “Effects on Democracy, Rule of Law, and Civil Society” in the wake of the public health crisis and gathered more than 30 […]

On May 27, 2020, the German Eastern Business Association supported by the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online expert discussion about the current economic situation in North Macedonia. Dr. Blagica Petreski, Chief Economist and CEO of Finance Think, and Marjan Nikolov, President of the Center for Economic Analysis, discussed the current government measures in response […]

On May 12, 2020, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an online discussion on the topic “Political Developments in Serbia and Their Implications” with Vukosava Crnjanski, Founder and Director, Centre for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA), Sonja Licht, President, Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence (BFPE), Srđan Majstorović, Chairman of the Governing Board, European Policy Centre (CEP), […]

The Aspen Institute Germany together with the Group for Legal and Political Studies hosted an online discussion on the topic “The Political Crisis in Kosovo and the Consequences for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue” with Taulant Kryeziu, Acting Deputy Minister for European Integration of the Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Arbëresha Loxha, Executive Director at Group for Legal and Political Studies, Peter […]

On February 20, 2020 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a background discussion on the current situation in the Western Balkans between representatives of the German Government and staffers of the German Bundestag. Alexander Jung, Deputy Head of Division 212 Bilateral Relations to the Countries of Central, Southeastern and Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus and Central Asia […]

On October 24, 2019 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a roundtable discussion entitled “Resolving the Enlargement Deadlock: Between Rule of Law Deficiencies in the WB6 and the EU’s Absorption Capacity“. Ardita Abazi Imeri, Head of Programs, European Policy Institute (EPI), Milena Lazarević, Programme Director, European Policy Centre (CEP), Arbëresha Loxha, Executive Director, Group for Legal […]

On December 04, 2019 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a background discussion on the EU accession negotiations with the Western Balkan countries. Sabine Stöhr, Head of the Western Balkans Division at the Federal Foreign Office and Thomas Motak, Deputy Head of Division E12, EU External Relations (EU Enlargement, European Neighborhood Policy), discussed the EU accession […]

On July 09, 2019, the Aspen Institute Germany organized an informal debrief on the 2019 Berlin Process Summit in Poznań. Christiane Hullmann, Deputy Head of Division 209 Western Balkans at the German Federal Foreign Office, Matthias Lüttenberg, Head of Division 212 Bilateral Relations to the Countries of Central, Southeastern and Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus and […]

On June 03, 2019 the Aspen Institute Germany, the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Berlin, and the Aspen Institute Central Europe hosted a panel discussion on the topic “Visegrad Countries and Germany – New Avenues of Cooperation and Enhanced Consultation”. Beyond robust economic relations between Visegrád 4 countries and Germany, there is still space […]

The Aspen Institute Germany hosted its annual Working Group Western Balkans on December 11-12, 2019 in Berlin to conclude its Western Balkans Program 2019. The goal of this working group was to develop concrete policy recommendations as a result of the issues discussed throughout the Aspen Western Balkans conferences this year and to identify the […]

To round up the annual Working Group Western Balkans, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a public evening event on “Between Slow Reforms in the Western Balkans and the EU’s Absorption Capacity – Quo Vadis EU Enlargement?”. The failure of this October’s European Council to agree to the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North […]

The Eighth Aspen Southeast Europe Foreign Ministers Conference took place on May 31, 2017 in cooperation with the German Office of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Czech Republic. The conference began with confidential discussions on regional cooperation, economic development and democratization between regional foreign ministers; senior representatives from the German and Czech governments; and […]

On June 19-22, 2017 the Aspen Institute Germany with support of the Federal Foreign Office hosted a conference on “Improving Perspectives for the Youth: Economic Development and Job Creation in the Western Balkans“ in Alt Madlitz. The participants, coming from the region as well as from several member states of the EU, were composed of […]

On November 07-10, 2017, the Aspen Institute Germany co-hosted a conference with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the support of the Federal Foreign Office. The topic of the conference was “Responding to Populism, Nationalism, and Authoritarianism in the Western Balkans and Beyond“. The conference took place in Sarajevo.

On 14 November 2017, The Aspen Institute Germany organized, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic Croatia, a confidential background briefing with Boris Grigić, Assistant Minister in the Foreign Ministry of the Republic Croatia. The topic of discussion was the Croatian perspective on the EU integration process of the countries of the Western Balkans.

To conclude its Southeast Europe Program 2017, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a public evening event with a discussion among Bernd Hüttemann, Secretary General of the European Movement Germany, Sonja Licht, President of Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, Sabine Stöhr, Head of Division 209 Western Balkans in Federal Foreign Office, and Helge Tolksdorf, Head of […]

On February 21, 2018 the Aspen institute hosted an exclusive dinner with the Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and his delegation, comprising the Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Radmila Shekerinska, the Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bujar Osmani, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Dimitrov at the China Club Berlin. Invited to […]

On March 21, 2018 the Aspen Institute Germany together with the Democratization Policy Council (DPC) hosted a background discussion on “Political Challenges for the German Government: The Western Balkans and the New Enlargement Strategy of the European Commission”. The aim of this closed event was to discuss political challenges in the region with representatives from […]

On April 16-19, 2018 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a conference on “Rule of Law in the Western Balkans: Exploring the New EU Enlargement Strategy and Necessary Steps Ahead“ with support of the Federal Foreign Office. The aim of this conference was to offer a platform for high-level participants from the Western Balkans, Germany, as […]

On June 15, 2018, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a roundtable discussion with Simonida Kacarska, Director of the European Policy Institute, and Sabine Stöhr, Head of the Western Balkans Division of the German Foreign Office. The topic of the roundtable discussion was “Macedonia One Year After the Political Crisis: Progress and Remaining Challenges on its […]

On July 12, 2018, Bundestag staffers and civil society experts were invited to the Aspen Institute Germany for an informal evaluation of the London Summit and the Berlin Process. Matthias Lüttenberg, Deputy Head of Division 212 (Bilateral Relations with the States of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe as well as Central Asia and the Southern […]

In cooperation with the Macedonian Think Tanks “Center for Economic Analyses”, “European Policy Institute (EPI)” and “Institute for Democracy ‘Societas Civilis’”, the Aspen Institute Germany organized a panel discussion on “A Euro-Atlantic Future for Macedonia?“ in Skopje. The June 2018 signing of the agreement for the resolution of the name dispute between Skopje and Athens […]

On September 3-6, 2018 the Aspen Institute Germany with the support of the Federal Foreign Office and in cooperation with the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a conference on „Curbing Political Influence on Independent Institutions in the Western Balkans“ in Skopje. The aim of this conference was to offer a platform for high-level participants […]

From October 29 to 31, 2018, the Aspen Institute organized a Scenario Workshop on the topic “The Future of European Security and its Impact on Europe’s Centers and Peripheries”. Participants included experts from a network of security think tanks from the Western Balkans as well as German experts and representatives of Federal Ministries. The workshop […]

To conclude this year’s Aspen Southeast Europe program, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted its Southeast Europe Working Group on November 20-22, 2018. Under the overarching topic “Taking Stock of the EU Enlargement Strategy and Its Impact on Reform Processes in the Western Balkans”, the main goal was to develop concrete policy recommendations as a result […]

To round up the annual Working Group Southeast Europe, the Aspen Institute Germany held a public evening event on “Roadblocks on the Way to EU Enlargement – How Can the Reform Processes in the Western Balkans Be Reenergized?”. While the EU enlargement strategy clearly spells out that the EU’s door is open to further accessions, […]

On January 21, 2019 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a background discussion on the current situation in the Western Balkans with Alexander Jung, Deputy Head of Division 212 Bilateral Relations to the Countries of Central, Southeastern and Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus and Central Asia at the German Federal Chancellery; Thomas Motak, Deputy Head of Division […]

On January 29, 2019 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a roundtable discussion on the question “A European Future for Kosovo?” with Fisnik Korenica, Senior Research Fellow at Group for Legal and Political Studies, Peter Beyer, Member of the German Bundestag, Rapporteur for Kosovo, Serbia, and Montenegro in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Coordinator for Transatlantic […]

On February 12, 2019 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an exclusive breakfast discussion with Montenegro’s Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Srđan Darmanović on Montenegro’s Euro-Atlantic Integration. Montenegro is the youngest NATO member state and considered to be one of the frontrunners in the EU integration process of the Western Balkan countries. The smallest country in […]

On February 25, 2019 the Aspen Institute Germany, in cooperation with the Aspen Institute Central Europe, hosted a workshop on “Research, Innovation and Technology” in Budapest. The participants from Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Germany engaged in discussions on the political economy of Central Europe, focusing on common interest and key challenges of […]

From March 6-7, 2019, the Aspen Institute Germany organized a Scenario Workshop on the topic “How to Achieve Economic Competitiveness in the Western Balkans by 2030?”. The workshop started off with input statements by Helge Tolksdorf, Head of the Division EU-Enlargement, Southeastern Europe, Turkey at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and […]

On March 19, 2019, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a roundtable discussion on the topic “Is Illiberalism Epidemic? Lessons from Europe” in cooperation with the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities in Skopje. Prof. Dr. Tanja Börzel, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Cluster of Excellence “Contestations of the Liberal Script”, Chair for […]

On April 11, 2019, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a roundtable discussion on the topic “Albania and EU Accession Talks – Partnering with the Citizens’ Quest for Democracy” in cooperation with the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) from Tirana, Albania. Sotiraq Hroni, Executive Director at the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM), Mr. Gjergji […]

On May 7-10, 2019 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a conference on “Strengthening Parliaments and Their Role in The Western Balkans Reform Processes“ with the support of the Federal Foreign Office. The aim of this conference was to offer a platform for high-level participants from the Western Balkans, Germany, as well as international organizations to […]

On May 17, 2019, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a roundtable discussion on the topic “Shaping the Path to Montenegro’s EU Integration – Key Challenges and Current Political Developments” in cooperation with the Centre for Monitoring and Research (CeMI) and the Institute Alternative (IA) in Podgorica, Montenegro. Zlatko Vujović, President of CeMI‘s Governing Board, Ms. […]

On May 20-21, 2019 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a conference on “Strengthening Regional Parliamentary Cooperation in Support For RYCO and Parliaments’ Engagement in the Berlin Process and Beyond” in cooperation with the Franco-German Youth Office. The conference was supported by the German Foreign Office, RYCO, and Crossborder Factory. The aim of the conference was […]

On June 03, 2019 the Aspen Institute Germany, the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Berlin, and the Aspen Institute Central Europe hosted a panel discussion on the topic “Visegrad Countries and Germany – New Avenues of Cooperation and Enhanced Consultation”. Beyond robust economic relations between Visegrád 4 countries and Germany, there is still space […]

While most international attention about the Republic of Kosovo goes to the Belgrade-Pristina dialog, the roundtable discussion focused on the domestic political situation in the country and in particular the role of the opposition. Albin Kurti, President of Vetëvendosje! and designated Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, and Josip Juratović, Member of the German […]

On June 24, 2019, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted an exclusive dinner with the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, H.E. Stevo Pendarovski, and his delegation at the China Club in Berlin. The dinner, on the occasion of the inaugural visit of the newly elected President of the Republic of North Macedonia, offered the […]

On June 13, 2019 the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a background discussion on the current situation in Albania and North Macedonia with regards to the possible opening of EU accession negotiations with both countries this year. Sabine Stöhr, Head of the Western Balkans Division at the Federal Foreign Office and Alexander Jung, Deputy Head of […]

From October 29 to November 1, 2019, the Aspen Institute Germany hosted a closed conference in Budva with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office and in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry of Montenegro on “The Western Balkans Between Economic Development and Emigration”. Among the conference participants were government representatives, Members of Parliament, mayors […]