Report from the conference

EU and the Balkans: What Next After Thessalonica?
- Serbia and Montenegro on the Road to the EU-

Belgrade, 27-28th June, 2003, City Hall, Trg Nikole Pašića (Gradska skupština)

Agenda

Friday, 27th June, 2003

15.00
Registration of participants

15.30
Welcome Speeches

• Mr. Mile Isakov, Deputy Prime Minister, Government of Republic of Serbia
• H.E. Igor Jovović, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Montenegro
• H.E. Michel Spinellis, Ambassador of Greece
• Mr. Danijel Pantić, Secretary General, European Movement in Serbia
• Mr. Zoran Lutovac, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

16.00-18.00
1st Panel discussion: Results of the Thessalonica Summit

The aim of this panel will be to assess the first results of the Thessalonica Summit, especially taking into consideration the following objectives: accelerating the process of bilateral negotiations and integration; candidate status; opening Community programs for WB countries; introducing policies of cohesion into SAP; increasing the financial envelope for WB region at the level of p/c similar to other candidate countries.

Moderator: Mr. Danijel Pantić, European Movement in Serbia

Introductory remarks:

• Mr. A. Sotiris Wallden, Greek Presidency
• H.E. Geoffrey Barrett, Head of Delegation, European Commission
• Mr. Gerald Knaus, ESI
• Mr. Mihailo Crnobrnja, Ministry of External Economic Relations, Government of Serbia

Discussion

18.30
Dinner

Saturday, 28th June, 2003

9.30-11.30
2d Panel discussion: The road map for Serbia and Montenegro - Achievements and Shortfalls of the State Union

The aim of this panel is to assess results of the Thessaloniki summit from the point of view of interests of Serbia and Montenegro. Moreover, it will be the occasion to reassess pros and contras of Belgrade's agreement and new State Union, whose proclaimed aim is to fasten the European integration of two Republics. The panel will gather both political representatives and experts from Serbia and Montenegro and other countries.

Moderator: Mr. Dušan Simić, Forum for International Relations, EMinS

Introductory remarks:

• Mr. Branko Lukovac, Minister for External Economic Relations, Serbia and Montenegro
• Mr. Vladimir Gligorov, Wienna Institute
• Mr. Zoran Lutovac, Advisor to the Prime Minister, Republic of Serbia
• Mrs. Maja Kovačević, European Integration Office, Serbia and Montenegro
• Mrs. Aleksandra Joksimović, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Serbia and Montenegro

Discussion

11.30-12.00
Coffee break

12.00-13.30
3rd Panel discussion: Western Balkans and EU Enlargement

The aim of this panel would be to discuss the open issues both in the regional cooperation and the Balkan European integration. What should be the priority fields of cooperation in the region, with regard to the EU integration agenda? What are the prospects of faster and sustainable development? Is the present framework of Balkan cooperation (SEECP, Stability Pact, CEI, BSEC, Danube cooperation...) the most adequate one? How the SAP could be used as a platform for strengthening regional cooperation?

Moderator: Mr. Dušan Reljić, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik

Introductory remarks:

• Mrs. Milica Uvalić, University of Perugia
• Mr. Branimir Mandić, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, BH
• Mrs. Gordana Ilić, G17 Institute
• Mr. Alessandro Rotta, Observatory on the Balkans
• Mr. Eno Trimçev, Albanian Institute for International Studies

Discussion

13.30-14.30
Break for Lunch

14.30 – 16.00 Panel discussion Four: Future of Europe and Western Balkans in 2007

This, last panel should discuss larger European issues, such as the EU Convent, the future organization of the enlarged EU etc, taking into consideration the aims and ambitions of the Balkan countries. How the EU will look like in 2007? Is the year 2007 for the second round of enlargement a realistic one, especially taking into consideration the ambitions of Western Balkan countries? What are the positions and interests of Balkan countries in the present debate on the future of Europe (EU Convent). How the Balkan countries could be associated to the debate on the future of Europe?

Moderator: Mr. Duško Lopandić, European Movement of Serbia

Introductory remarks:

• Mr. Dušan Šiđanski, Président du Centre européen de la culture
• Mr. Martin Brusis, Center for Applied Policy Research
• Mrs. Gergana Noucheva, CEPS, Brussels
• Mr. Predrag Simić, Faculty of Political Science, Belgrade
• Mr. Tjark M. Egenhoff, European Commission, Group of Policy Advisers

Discussion

16.00
Conclusions of the Conference

The Conference should provide some general conclusions and guidelines with regard to the next steps of the cooperation between the EU and Western Balkans, especially during the Italian presidency and before the finalization of enlargement process (2004).

18.00
Boat Trip

20.00
Dinner