Belgrade, Serbia – 26 May 2025 – Leading European scholars and policy experts convened today at Europe House in Belgrade for the REUNIR 1st Mid-Term Conference, titled “Frontlines of Influence: The EU’s Role in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership.”
Organized by REUNIR and Geo-Power-EU Projects, the event brought together participants from across Europe to examine the European Union’s evolving geopolitical role, its enlargement strategy, and the complex task of supporting democracy amid external pressures and global competition.
The conference opened with remarks from Filip Ejdus of the University of Belgrade and Srđan Cvijić of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, who stressed the urgency of discussing the EU’s strategic posture at a time of intensifying geopolitical rivalry.
A keynote address followed, setting the stage for the exchange on Europe’s capacity to act as a global player while delivering on its commitments to candidate countries.
The first panel discussion, “Europe’s Challenge: Advancing Enlargement Amid Democratic Backsliding and External Pressures” (REUNIR), examined internal EU dynamics, democratic setbacks in candidate countries, and geopolitical rivalry. Moderated by Srđan Cvijić, the panel included:
- Steven Blockmans (Centre for European Policy Studies)
- Jelena Pejić Nikić (Belgrade Centre for Security Policy)
- Shota Kakabadze (Georgian Institute of Politics)
- Gresa Hasa (University of Graz)
Speakers highlighted the tension between strategic imperatives to enlarge and concerns over democratic erosion, debating practical solutions to ensure the credibility and sustainability of the enlargement process.
Panelists discussed how the EU balances geopolitical competition with enlargement policy, the role of economic interdependence, and the challenges of maintaining credibility in the region.
Following a networking coffee break, the second panel, “The EU in the Era of Geopolitics: Power, Strategy and Influence” (GeoPowerEU), focused on the Union’s external engagement and resilience strategies. Moderated by Filip Ejdus, the session featured:
- Nikolaos Tzifakis (University of the Peloponnese)
- Alexandra Bykova (Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies)
- Panagiota Manoli (University of the Peloponnese)
- Björn Fägersten (Swedish Institute of International Affairs)
- Strahinja Subotić (European Policy Centre, InvigoratEU project)
Panelists discussed how the EU balances geopolitical competition with enlargement policy, the role of economic interdependence, and the challenges of maintaining credibility in the region.
The conference concluded with closing remarks by Milica Delević of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), who reflected on the similarities and differences between enlargement in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership, underscoring the need for tailored, realistic, and consistent EU engagement.
Held in the heart of Belgrade, the event underlined the region’s central role in European security debates and the continued importance of academic and policy dialogue on these critical issues.
Photo©️ Ivan Božinovski
