The EESC held its 9th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum on 19-20 October 2023, signalling a renewed momentum for the region to join the EU, in view of the current geopolitical situation, and a clear commitment by EU leaders to the enlargement policy.

Representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) stressed the need for greater support and safeguarding of civic space to facilitate the essential socio-economic reforms required for EU integration.

The forum was organised in cooperation with the European Commission, the European Training Foundation, the Regional Cooperation Council and the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Opening the forum, EESC president Oliver Röpke said: "The EESC has been an integral part in the EU's enlargement process and I am proud to see that we are taking our support a step further. Only a few weeks ago, the EESC took a historic decision to open our doors to the EU candidate countries by appointing enlargement candidate members".

Vice-President of the European Commission for Democracy and Demography, Dubravka Šuica said: "I would like to say to the countries of the Western Balkans that our present and our future are intimately connected. I welcome the EESC's initiative on enlargement candidate members to include them in your advisory work. The EESC is the first of the European Union bodies to do this".

The speakers, who came from various CSOs and NGOs across all countries in the Western Balkans, mentioned the challenges that civil society organisations are facing, such as sporadic consultations, notable decline in cooperation with governments and limited involvement in the monitoring and implementation process of the European policies.

The forum discussed the state of the education system, youth policy and skills development in the Western Balkans, including adult education, lifelong learning and vocational education and training.

The third session was dedicated to civil society's contribution to the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

The Declaration adopted will be a step towards the EU-Western Balkans Summit in December. (at)