The West Balkans and the European Union: on their way to a common future?

The West Balkans and the European Union: on their way to a common future? Paddy Ashdown, former High Representative of the EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina, once said that the European perspective is the glue that holds together the West Balkans. Without the countries of the West Balkans, the process of European integration is not finished. But what is left of the European perspective given to the West Balkan countries on the EU Summit in Thessaloniki in June 2003 after the failure of the EU constitution and the enlargement fatigue that seems to have struck the European Union, citizens and institutions alike? What does the European Union anno 2006 look like from the perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia? 14.00 – 15.45 Panel I Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union – one-sided association process or mutual learning? Speakers: - Dzenana Hodzic, advisor in the Division for Strategy of European Integration within the Directorate of European Integration of BiH, currently Acting Head of SAP Coordination Department: `Negotiations with the EU from the perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina` - Dino Abazovic, Director Human Rights Centre, University of Sarajevo: “The democratic potential of the BH society for EU integration” Discussant: - Gisela Kallenbach, Member of European Parliament (Greens) Chair: - Sascha Müller-Kraenner, Director Europe/North America Heinrich Böll Foundation, Berlin 16.15 – 18.00 Panel II Croatia and the European Union – searching for the causes of democratic deficits Speakers: - Damir Grubisa, lecturer Faculty of Political Sciences, Zagreb: `Deepening and widening of democracy inside and outside the EU” - Josip Kregar, professor Faculty of Law, Zagreb: `Rule of Law or Rule of Thumb` Discussant: - Michael Emerson, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) Chair: - Sascha Müller-Kraenner, Director Europe/North America Heinrich Böll Foundation, Berlin