The Western Balkans in the European Union: Mission to be Completed
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Date
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Monday, 19 January 2015
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Venue
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Cañada Blanch Room, (COW 1.11), 1st floor, Cowdray House, LSE
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Time
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6:00 - 7:00 pm
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Speaker
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Dr Fatmir Besimi, Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs
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Chair
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Dr James Ker-Lindsay, Senior Research Fellow, LSEE Public Events UK
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For over six decades the European Union has contributed to the advancement of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe, as evidenced by the award of the Nobel Peace Prize for EU in 2012. In this context, European enlargement has played significant role. As well as the integration of the transition countries of Central and Eastern Europe, EU accession is bringing peace and stability to the Western Balkans after decades of conflicts. It promises a better future with political stability and economic prosperity. However, taking into consideration the challenges posed by open issues in the region, it is important that European integration happens sooner rather than later. Additional efforts need to be taken from both sides - the countries from the region and the European Union - to complete successfully the process of European integration for the Western Balkans and thereby complete the mission of the visionary founders of the EU: 'We cannot aim at anything less than the Union of Europe as a whole, and we look forward with confidence to the day when that Union will be achieved.' (Winston Churchill, 1948).
EVENT PHOTOS
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