Webinar “The impact of radical right and Euroskepticism on the EU enlargement”

On the 18^th of March, Dr. Ioannis Armakolas, Head of the South-East Europe Programme at ELIAMEP and Director of the initiative think nea – New Narrative of EU Integration, and Ioannis Alexandris, Research Fellow of the South-East Europe Programme at ELIAMEP and Researcher of the initiative think nea – New Narrative of EU Integration, were the guest speakers of the webinar titled “The impact of radical right and Euroskepticism on the EU enlargement” organized by the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies of the European University Institute in Florence.

During the webinar, the two speakers examined how the rise of radical right and Eurosceptic forces has shaped the EU’s enlargement policy. They discussed the significant obstacles posed by rising Euroscepticism and geopolitical challenges, emphasizing the need for forward-thinking ideas to rebuild trust, foster cooperation, and counter authoritarian influences.

Drawing from the latest think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration report “The Rise of Radical Right and Eurosceptic Political Forces and the Impact on the EU’s Enlargement Policy”, they highlighted the strategic importance of the Western Balkans for the EU’s future. Rather than viewing the region as a burden, they argued for policies that reinforce stability, secure Europe’s geopolitical relevance, and promote a more united and strategically autonomous Europe.