Utrecht – ESI at public debate on Western Balkans, EU and US relations

Adnan speaking in Utrecht. Photo: ESI

Adnan Cerimagic, ESI’s senior analyst, took part in a public panel debate titled “Europe, the US, and the Western Balkans: Cooperation or Confrontation?”. The event was hosted by PAX, the Netherlands Helsinki Committee, Foundation Max van der Stoel, Free Press Unlimited, and other partners.

The panel brought together civil society voices from across the Western Balkans to assess current geopolitical dynamics, democratic backsliding, and the future of EU and US engagement in the region. Alongside Donika Emini (CiviKos), Dinko Gruhonjić (University of Novi Sad), and Rober Bosch, former Dutch ambassador in Kosovo, Adnan shared ESI’s perspective on the EU’s credibility, the role of civil society, and strategies to support reforms and regional cooperation.

The discussion took place in front of a public audience at PAX’s headquarters in Utrecht.

• ESI proposal: “Preventing violence – transform Kosovo dialogue”
• ESI report: “Scoreboard - The true state of accession - What the Commission assessments reveal”
• ESI proposal: “End the turtle race How the EU can address the crisis of the accession process”
• ESI proposal: “Offer the four freedoms to the Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova For a merit-based EU accession process with a credible goal”
• ESI proposal: “47 again? Russia out, Kosovo in Support Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe”
• 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”