Navigating The EU Enlargement and its Repercussions for the Neighbourhood 10th Delphi Economic Forum

Prof. Dr. Ioannis Armakolas (Director, think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration and Head, South-East Europe Programme of ELIAMEP) chaired the panel “Navigating The EU Enlargement and its Repercussions for the Neighbourhood” that took place on the 12^th of April 2025 at the X Delphi Economic Forum within the context of the theme of “The State of the World”.

The speakers of the high-level panel were the following:

• Αlexandra Papadopoulou, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hellenic Republic
• Marko Djuric, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Serbia
• Endrit Yzeiraj, Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania

The panel explored the evolving dynamics of the European Union’s enlargement process, particularly in light of Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has reinvigorated discussions around the accession of countries in the Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership, and beyond. The topic also examines the geopolitical, economic, and institutional challenges that come with widening the EU, as well as the need to ensure democratic reforms and alignment with EU values among candidate countries.