Berlin – ESI discusses the Western Balkans with East European Studies students

Adnan spoke at the East European Institute in Berlin Photo: ESI

Adnan Ćerimagić, ESI’s senior analyst, met with a group of master's students from Ludwig Maximilian University Munich and Free University Berlin on 22 July 2026 at the East European Institute in Berlin. The students were visiting the German capital as part of an excursion organised within the interdisciplinary master's programme in East European Studies.

The discussion focused on current political developments in the Western Balkans, the European Union's enlargement policy, and Germany's role in the region. Adnan also spoke about ESI's work, explaining how the organisation combines field research, policy analysis, and advocacy to contribute to debates on enlargement, democracy, and the rule of law.

Students discussed the opportunities and challenges of evidence-based policymaking, the role of think tanks in shaping public debate, and the practical realities of providing policy advice in Berlin and Brussels. The conversation also explored the changing geopolitical context for EU enlargement and the importance of maintaining a credible European perspective for the Western Balkans.

ESI is committed to engaging with students and young researchers, sharing its experience and encouraging informed debate on Europe's future and the Western Balkans.

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• ESI proposal: “Abandon clichés about Bosnia: Push EU-related reforms instead of arbitrary conditions”
• ESI proposal: “No partition: Why Kosovo and Serbia must not discuss territory”
• ESI report: “Anti-Corruption Report for the West Balkans: Measure corruption in order to fight it”