Event “Unlocking the defence potential of the Western Balkans to strengthen European strategic autonomy” and bilateral meetings in Paris

On 8 April 2025, the South-East Europe Programme of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), in cooperation with Euro Créative, hosted a high-level round table discussion at the National Assembly of French. The event “Unlocking the defence potential of the Western Balkans to strengthen European strategic autonomy” focused on European defense 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.

Prof. Dr. Ioannis Armakolas, Director of think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration and Head of the South-East Europe Programme at ELIAMEP, delivered the welcoming remarks. Dr. Ana Krstinovska, Senior Researcher at think nea and Research Fellow at ELIAMEP’s South-East Europe Programme, presented the preliminary findings of an ongoing research project that explores the assets the Western Balkans can offer to strengthen European strategic autonomy in the field of defense.

Her presentation highlighted key arguments across six main areas:

• Defense spending and modernization of national armed forces;
• Military acquisitions from EU member states that contribute to the European defense technological and industrial base;
• The region’s demonstrated solidarity with Ukraine, including military, financial, and humanitarian support, as well as weapons supplies;
• Participation in EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and other international peacekeeping missions;
• The region’s active and prospective defense industry and recent developments therein;
• Strategic enablers such as military mobility, medical support, and opportunities for joint training.

The round table brought together French and European diplomats, officials and civil servants, as well as representatives from the think tank and academic communities. Participants engaged in a dynamic discussion and expressed keen interest in the role that the Western Balkans can play in enhancing European defense capacities and capabilities, particularly in light of today’s shifting geopolitical landscape and emerging challenges.

In addition to the round table, during their stay in Paris, Prof. Dr. Ioannis Armakolas and Dr. Ana Krstinovska, in cooperation with Romain Le Quiniou (Managing Director, Euro Créative), and alongside Andi Dobrushi (Director) and Lura Limani (Team Leader – EU Integration and Regional Cooperation Program) of the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, held a series of high-level bilateral meetings. These meetings brought together senior politicians, civil servants, diplomats and leading researchers and analysts to discuss the current state of the EU enlargement process, recent developments in EU–US relations, and the roadmap toward achieving European strategic autonomy, with particular emphasis on the role of the Western Balkans.