In light of recent geopolitical developments and growing debates around Ukraine’s EU accession, we believe it is crucial to reassert the strategic and moral imperative of prioritizing the Western Balkans’ integration. While political discourse has increasingly shifted toward Eastern enlargement, our aim is to advocate for a renewed commitment to those candidate countries that have long been anchored in the EU’s waiting room—many of which share deep historical, cultural, and security ties with Europe.

To address these concerns, MCC is pleased to welcome Arnaud Gouillon—French-born Serbian politician, humanitarian, Director of the Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy of Serbia, and author of All My Roads Lead to Serbia —for an in-depth interview on the future of European Enlargement. The event will also feature a roundtable discussion with Mr. Gouillon, Miklós Teszáry—a researcher specializing in the European integration of the Western Balkans—and French historian and political scientist Thibaud Gibelin.

The event will be held in English.

Program:

16:30 – Registration

17:00 – Keynote Address

17:15 – Interview with Arnaud Gouillon

  • Moderator: Rodrigo Ballester, Head of the Center for European Studies at MCC

17:45 – Panel Discussion

Arnaud Gouillon, Director of the Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy

Miklós Teszáry, Researcher at MCC-MKI Center for Geopolitics

  • Moderator: Thibaud Gibelin, Visiting Fellow at MCC

18:45 – End of Event

 

The event is open to everyone, but registration is required: https://mcc.hu/esemenyregisztracio/western-balkans-first-rethinking-eu-enlargement-priorities 

Date: 19. 06. 2025 | 17:00-19:00