“EU policy on the Western Balkans” by Szabolcs Horváth

The Western Balkan region, home of close to 18 million people, is not only geographically surrounded by EU member countries but also shares various cultural and economical ties. EU integration of this region has been ongoing in the latest years, with various countries standing at different levels of the accession negotiations. Billions of EU funding flows into the region, and the EU is not the only influential actor in the region. Close relations with the Western Balkan are essential for the Union, but having a firm strategy is essential. On the 16th of May, Mr Szabolcs Horvath (Advisor of European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement -Oliver Varhelyi on Western Balkans) will provide us insights into the strategy of the EU on the Western Balkans.