- June 22, 2026
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- June 23, 2026
The Western Balkans are once again facing a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty. Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, the rise of authoritarian influence, and shifting transatlantic dynamics are reshaping the security environment across Europe. What are the most pressing security challenges facing the Western Balkans today and which role should the EU and its member states play to strengthen resilience and stability in Europe? The Aspen Institute Germany will host its annual high-level Western Balkans Working Group on June 22-23, 2026, in Berlin to kick off its Western Balkans Program 2026. The goal of this working group is to develop concrete policy recommendations in preparation for the Western Balkans Conference on Security this fall. In addition, the group will assess the current geopolitical impact on the Western Balkans and the EU enlargement process. The working group seeks to identify the next steps for decision-makers in the Western Balkans, Germany, and the EU, and to generate actionable policy recommendations. The group of 20 participants will consist of high-level government representatives from the Western Balkans, selected experts, as well as officials from the EU, the German government and the German Bundestag. This event is part of the “SECURE – Stability, European Cooperation & Unity for Regional Engagement” project, kindly supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.
