On the eve of the EU-Western Balkans leaders’ meeting - opportunities for Bulgaria

The main topic was the EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans in the prospect of a possible opening of negotiations with Ukraine.

Hendrik Sittig, Head of the KAS Media Programme South East Europe, opened the event.

The event was organised by the KAS Media Programme in cooperation with the Association of European Journalists - Bulgaria.

The situation from a German perspective was described by Manuel Sarrazin, Special Representative of the Federal Government for the Western Balkans.

A commentary was made by Vessela Tscherneva, Advisor on Foreign Policy to the Bulgarian Prime Minister.

Afterwards, the discussion was continued by three Bulgarian scientists - Daniel Smilov , Lyubomir Kyuchukov und Daniel Vachkov. (f. l. t. r.)

The experts stressed that the stability of the region is of great importance and that a solution suitable for both sides has to be found.

On the 7th of June, an expert meeting with Bulgarian journalists took place in Sofia - on the occasion of the next summit of the EU heads of state and government in Brussels at the end of June. The event was organised by the KAS Media Programme in cooperation with the Association of European Journalists - Bulgaria. The main topic was the EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans in the prospect of a possible opening of negotiations with Ukraine. The situation from a German perspective was described by Manuel Sarrazin, Special Representative of the Federal Government for the Western Balkans. A commentary was made by Vessela Tscherneva, Advisor on Foreign Policy to the Bulgarian Prime Minister. Afterwards, the discussion was continued by three Bulgarian scientists - Lyubomir Kyuchukov (Economics and International Relations Institute), Daniel Vachkov (Institute for Historical Studies) and Daniel Smilov (Centre for Liberal Strategies). They discussed with the journalists the current conflict between North Macedonia and Bulgaria, which is blocking the enlargement process. The experts stressed that the stability of the region is of great importance and that a solution suitable for both sides has to be found. The event was held under Chatham House Rules.