In that research seminar, the speakers presented the findings of the research project Deciphering the Formulation of Greek Economic Diplomacy Towards the Western Balkans, funded by the Hellenic Observatory Research Calls Programme.
The project delved into the intricacies of Greek economic diplomacy, focusing on its conduct in the Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) and exploring paths that could improve economic and business practices in the region. The researchers attempted to map out the multi-layered dimensions of Greek economic relations with the Western Balkans, highlighting problems and challenges that have emerged over the years, and identifying key actors and stakeholders in the process. The analysis and synthesis of both the empirical research and the information gathered through interviews leaded to concrete policy proposals and recommendations regarding the improvement of Greek economic diplomacy in the region.
The Policy Brief is available here.
The Research Rroject is available here.
Meet our speakers and chair
Nikolaos Tzifakis is Associate Professor of International Relations at the Department of Political Science and International Relations of the University of the Peloponnese. His research interests include Balkan politics, EU external relations, and international relations theory. He has published articles in journals such as Cambridge Review of International Affairs, Conflict Security & Development, Ethnopolitics, European Foreign Affairs Review, Global Society, International Journal, and Problems of Post-Communism. In 2008, he was awarded (with A. Huliaras) the Marcel Cadieux Distinguished Writing Award by the Canadian International Council. He recently co-edited (with F. Bieber) the book The Western Balkans in the World: Linkages and Relations with Non-Western Countries (Routledge, 2020).
Ritsa Panagiotou is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre of Planning and Economic Research (KEPE) in Athens. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Russian from Wellesley College, and an M.Phil and a D.Phil in International Relations from Oxford University. For several years she worked as a Research Associate at the European Business School (INSEAD) in Fontainebleau, France. She has been an Adjunct Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business, the University of Athens Postgraduate Programme in Southeast European Studies and the College Year in Athens. She has also been a Visiting Research Fellow at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy.
Vassilis Monastiriotis is Associate Professor of Political Economy at the European Institute (LSE). He is Director of the LSE Research Unit on Southeast Europe.
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Podcast
You can watch the video here.
Video
You can watch the video here.
Slides
A copy of the slide presentation is available for download: Deciphering the Formulation of Greek Economic Diplomacy Towards the Western Balkans
The Hellenic Observatory (@HO_LSE) is internationally recognised as one of the premier research centres on contemporary Greece and Cyprus. It engages in a range of activities, including developing and supporting academic and policy-related research; organisation of conferences, seminars and workshops; academic exchange through visiting fellowships and internships; as well as teaching at the graduate level through LSE's European Institute.