International Conference – Brussels: 5th – 9th of September 2011
IDM, in the framework of a regional program of the German Council of Foreign Relations supporting civil society involvement in EU accession reforms and processes representatives, presented the research findings to senior officials of EU institutions from 5th – 9th of September 2011 (Brussels).
The meetings with EU officials from the European Commission, European External Action Service, European Parliament, Council and Brussels-based think tanks (e.g. European Policy Centre) mark the beginning of the program’s final stage for 2011, with a total of eight policy research papers prepared by think tank organizations in Western Balkan countries on various issues related to EU accession processes. The program is expected to conclude with national level events launching the finding in the policy discourse and advocating with policy makers to improve EU accession processes in the respective countries.
IDM’s Centre for European & Security Affairs presented the findings and the policy advice on an increasingly important concern for Albania’s EU integration processes, as emphasized in the recent EC progress reports for Albania – namely, challenges to enforce aligned legislation with EU acquis and the need to strengthen the role of civil society and interest groups as well as parliamentary dealings on EU affairs. The research findings and policy recommendations presented by Mr. Gjergji Vurmo were particularly analyzed at separate meetings with DG Enlargement (Mrs. Marta Garcia-Fidalgo, Head of Unit for Albania and Montenegro) at the European Commission, representatives of the Council and the European External Action Service, as well as with members of Western Balkans Working Group at the European Parliament – MEPs Eduard Kukan, Hanes Svoboda and Ulrike Lunacek.
IDM will launch the policy brief and respective research through a national workshop (11 November 2011) with broad participation of policy makers, civil society, private sector, media, academia etc.