European Economic
and Social Committee
Programme
09:30-09:35 Opening – Mr Ionuţ Sibian, President of the EESC's study group on Economic and social cohesion and European integration of the Western Balkans – challenges and priorities
09:35-09:45 Short introduction by Mr Andrej Zorko, rapporteur, and Mr Dimitris Dimitriadis, co-rapporteur
09:45-11:15 SESSION I – Economic integration in the Western Balkans
- Plamen KALOYANCHEV, Economic and Financial Affairs Officer, Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission
- Andreas PAPADOPOULOS, Advisor on Economic Governance, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), European Commission
- Vesselin VALKANOV, Ambassador, Head of Liaison Office of the Regional Cooperation Council (on Regional Economic Area)
- Sofia BOURNOU, Senior Adviser, BusinessEurope
- Ekaterina VOSTROKNUTOVA, Lead Economist for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region, World Bank Group
- Peter SANFEY, Deputy Director, Country Economics and Policy, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Debate
11:15-11:30 Coffee break
11:30-12:45 SESSION II – Social cohesion in the Western Balkans
- William BARTLETT, Coordinator of the LSEE Research Network on Social Cohesion in South East Europe
- Nand SHANI, Team Leader of Employment and Social Affairs Platform (ESAP) project, Regional Cooperation Council
- Peter SEIDENECK, Coordinator of the Regional Project for Western Balkans “On the way to EU”, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)
- Jelena ANĐELIĆ, Program coordinator, Association of Citizens Initiative for Development and Cooperation (IDC)
- Ákos TOPOLÁNSZKY, EESC member
Debate
12:45-13:00 Closing - Mr Ionuţ Sibian, President of the EESC's study group on Economic and social cohesion and European integration of the Western Balkans – challenges and priorities