How to Further the EU Enlargement in the Western Balkans

From the 11th to the 13th of September 2025, the Founder and President Ján Cingel, participated in the international conference “How to Further the EU Enlargement in the Western Balkans”, organized by the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation in cooperation with the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The conference brought together policymakers,  and experts from across Europe and the Western Balkans to discuss how to keep the EU enlargement process credible and effective despite today’s turbulent geopolitical environment. Participants debated the consequences of the current world order being challenged by global power shifts, Russia’s hybrid activities, and growing Chinese influence in the region.

During Session I: “The current world order at threat – consequences for the Western Balkans”, Ján Cingel contributed as a speaker, stressing that consistent EU engagement, security guarantees, and strategic communication are essential to prevent democratic backsliding and to counter malign influence in the region. He also highlighted that enlargement remains one of the EU’s most powerful tools to support stability, economic growth, and the rule of law in the Western Balkans.

The event aimed to formulate concrete recommendations on how to revitalize the enlargement process, keep partner countries motivated to continue reforms, and maintain the region’s orientation toward Euro-Atlantic integration.