Event in cooperation with the Permanent Representation of Greece to the EU and bilateral meetings in Brussels

On Friday, 23 May 2025, the South-East Europe Programme of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), in cooperation with the Permanent Representation of Greece to the European Union, organised a high-level roundtable at the Representation’s premises in Brussels. The event focused on European defence readiness and the potential contribution of the Western Balkan countries and took place within the framework of the initiative think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration, supported by the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans.

The event was introduced by Ambassador Ioannis Vrailas, Permanent Representative of Greece to the European Union. Professor Dr. Ioannis Armakolas, Head of the South-East Europe Programme at ELIAMEP and Director of the think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration initiative, delivered the opening remarks and presented the initiative’s framework and objectives. Dr. Ana Krstinovska, Researcher at the South-East Europe Programme of ELIAMEP and Senior Researcher at the initiative, presented the key findings of the ELIAMEP study titled “Western Balkans: A Strategic Defence Partner for the EU”, which is expected to be published shortly. Commentary was then offered by Ms. Marijana Kujundžić, PSC Ambassador of Croatia, and Mr. Alexios Mitsopoulos, PSC Ambassador of Greece. The ensuing discussion was moderated by Dr. Elena Lazarou, Senior Policy Analyst at the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) and Senior Research Fellow at ELIAMEP.

This roundtable explored the growing role of Western Balkan countries in supporting EU defence goals, highlighting their increasing defence investments, active participation in peace missions, and contributions to military aid in Ukraine. Participants examined how the Western Balkan countries could contribute to EU strategic autonomy through higher defence spending, robust arms production, and improved military infrastructure. The discussion emphasized opportunities for deeper in defence manufacturing, strategic enablers, and policy integration, while examining the necessary preconditions, including CFSP alignment and rule of law. It concluded that strengthening these ties will not only enhance the EU’s defence-technological and industrial base, crisis response and operational readiness but also reinforce unity and resilience across the region.

Beyond the roundtable, during their stay in Brussels, Professor Dr. Ioannis Armakolas and Dr. Ana Krstinovska, together with Lura Limani (Programme Lead – European Integration and Regional Cooperation) from the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, held a series of high-level bilateral meetings. Participants included politicians, members of EU institutions, Members of the European Parliament, diplomats, and leading researchers and analysts, with the aim of exchanging ideas on the current state of the EU enlargement process, recent political and geostrategic developments, and the roadmap towards European strategic autonomy, with an emphasis on the role of the Western Balkans.