For decades, US foreign policy in the Western Balkans was part of a well-established tandem in which the US brought its enormous influence to the region, while the EU also offered the long-term perspective through integration, support and reforms. This interaction was seen as a guarantee for stability and democratization in the region.
Currently, however, there are increasing signs of a change of course in Washington and a withdrawal of the US: massive cuts to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the termination of numerous USAID programs and a strategic shift to other regions of the world raise fundamental questions – not only for the transatlantic alliance, but also for future cooperation between the US and the EU in the Western Balkans.

In our panel discussion, we want to address the following questions: To what extent do we currently see a weakening of US engagement in the Western Balkans? What does this change mean for the future development of the region? And is the EU prepared to take on (even) more responsibility?

Participants
– Peter Beyer, Member of the German Bundestag (CDU/CSU), Berlin
– Adnan Ćerimagić, Senior Analyst, European Stability Initiative, Berlin
– Vukosava Crnjanski, Director, CRTA, Belgrade
– Manuel Sarrazin, Special Representative of the German Government for the Countries of the Western Balkans
– Valbona Zeneli, Non-resident Senior Fellow, Europe Center Atlantic Council of the United States

Moderator
– Prof. Dr. Florian Bieber, Director, Centre for Southeast European Studies, Graz