The EESC's Western Balkans Civil Society Forum, which took place in Skopje on 30 September and 1 October, shone a bright spotlight on the state of play in the region's clear EU accession prospects and the active involvement of civil society in this effort.

The Forum, held by the European Economic and Social Committee in collaboration with the European Commission and the Regional Cooperation Council, came at a timely moment, just days ahead of the EU-Western Balkan (WB) Summit in Brdo, under the Slovenian Presidency.

The prime minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, said: "Strengthening the accession process – an EU credible perspective for the WB – is the right topic at the right time because of the imposed enlargement blockade."

EESC president Christa Schweng affirmed the Committee's clear support for the enlargement of the EU to the countries of the region.
"I truly believe that the place of the WB is in the EU. We must also not forget that any discussion on enlargement is implicitly a discussion on the future of Europe, and civil society, both from the region and from the EU, should be fully involved in the process."

Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi commented: "The path into the EU is long and complicated and full of challenges. But those truly dedicated make it. And for me, there is no doubt – the future of the Western Balkans is the European Union."

Echoing this, Gašper Dovžan, state secretary at Slovenia's foreign ministry, said enlargement was a logical step and a mutually beneficial process that required ambition and resilience.

Active involvement of civil society is a must in the accession process

Biljana Spasovska, from the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN), expressed her concern at the shrinking space and the decreased funding of civil society, saying basic freedoms had been challenged, especially during the pandemic.

Forum participants stressed the importance of guaranteeing freedom of association and ensuring an enabling civic space.

The guidelines for the implementation of the Green Agenda and the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) were also discussed. However, the success of these would depend on the meaningful inclusion and active involvement of civil society in policy-making.

Public funding for CSOs needed to be reformed in all countries in the region and civil society needs to be independent and free from political influence.

The final declaration of the 8th WB CS Forum here. (at)