Western Balkans

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

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News archive - Political fora discussing issues relevant for South East Europe

Participants at the Alpach Forum in Austria (August 16-September 1, 2007) and the Bled Strategic Forum (August 26-27, 2007) are discussing issues of political relevance for South East Europe.

Alpbach Forum

The 63rd European Forum Alpbach is guided by the general theme of Emergence and takes place from August 16 to September 1, 2007. Alpbach is a place of interdisciplinary dialogue and unites experts from various sciences, politicians and business representatives. Interdisciplinary debates with all participants will help overcome disciplinarian and ideological barriers.
In this framework the Reform Symposium discussed "Emerging Markets - Emerging Partners" (Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister Gordana Djurovic presented EU Integration as a key priority for Montenegro"). "Emergence in Science and Technology" also addressed "Romania and Bulgaria as partners in EUropean Research" (which also provided the framework for a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding in scientific cooperation between Austria, Romania and Bulgaria as well as the transfer of the Chair of the Stability Pact's Task Force Education and Youth the transfer of the Chair of the Stability Pact's Task Force Education and Youth from Austria to Romania). Furthermore, "Europe as a Global Player" was addressed in the Political Symposium (Genc Pollo, Albanian Minister for Science discussed about brain circulation), etc.

Further information:
http://www.alpbach.org/index.php?id=287

Bled Strategic Forum

The Bled Strategic Forum organised its second annual conference titled “European Union 2020: Enlarging and Integrating” in Bled, Slovenia, on August 26-27, 2007.
The Conference brings together government representatives at the highest level, politicians, EU officials, private sector leaders and senior representatives from think tanks and the non-governmental sector to examine the key challenges that Europe is currently facing.
The event is also part of the preparation of the forthcoming Slovene EU Presidency in the first half of 2008, in the framework of which the EU Enlargement and Institutional reform are identified as two of priorities of the Slovene EU Presidency (starting January 1, 2008).
Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel stressed that Slovenia will do its outmost to bring the Western Balkans closer to Europe.
Besides the EU enlargement panel, the participants of Bled forum also discussed energy, climate changes and the future of the EU integration.

Further information:
http://www.bledstrategicforum.org