Stockholm – Public Sida/ESI lecture: Western Balkans and Eastern Europe in 2010

25 October 2012
Gerald Knaus at SIDA headquarters in Stockholm. Photo: SIDA
Gerald Knaus at SIDA headquarters in Stockholm. Photo: SIDA

At this event at SIDA's headquarters in Stockholm, ESI's Gerald Knaus shared his views on what lays ahead for the countries of East and South-East Europe. Is there a way to end stagnation and internal conflicts? Could any of them qualify for EU membership by 2020?

He suggested to:

  1. structure assistance 2014-2020 to create a regional race in different chapters, where being ahead translates into more support;
  2. strengthen the ability of the Council of Europe to set democracy standards in the Eastern neighbourhood;
  3. focus all effort to help Moldova become the first Eastern Partner to become a potential EU accession candidate to electrify the region;
  4. make the most of the Croatian experience.