Conference documentation: After the Wars. The Western Balkans facing the European Union - Video book
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Multimedia Video book EN |
In December 2009 experts from the European Union and the Western Balkans met with graduate and post-graduate students in the Deutsche Bundestag. Schwarzkopf-Foundation decided to publish the lectures and discussions of this international conference in form of a videobook. We want to enable young people and experts wherever they live and work to follow the lectures and discussions of this international conference via the world-wide-web. The European Union is still facing "Balkan-fatigue" and a lack of interest into the European integration of this part of Europe, although the Western Balkans are at a juncture in both their internal and regional stabilisation process and their euro-transatlantic integration. The success of this integration project of this post-conflict region is not only of importance for the Western Balkans. The development and perspectives of seven countries in the middle of Europe, surrounded by the European Union, have become a litmus test of the credibility of the EU’s foreign policy and for the future of the European integration project as a whole.
Offering to the countries of the Western Balkans a European Union membership perspective, constitutes a historical opportunity and challenge for the countries of the former Yugoslavia. The transformative power of European integration, if allowed to unfold, will question many of the assumptions of the last two decades. Citizens and societies have to be ready to overcome the worst effects of the disintegration of the former common country, a process that was characterised by instability, violence and war, causing human losses, individual trauma and a lack of civic and democratic development.
2009 marked the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The last two decades were in most parts of Europe a period of increased inclusion and integration. For South Eastern Europeans the years since 1989 have meant almost exclusively the opposite: marginalisation, vulnerability and increased exclusions. The European Union’s visa policy is only the most tangible factor which has in one part of the region enhanced feelings of abandonment and isolation. The European Union’s reluctance to project a consistent and credible vision and credible message to the citizens and countries of the region has once again caused concern. The conditionality policy has not prevented the emergence of new antagonism and its fragmentary approach exposed double standards and a lack of historical understanding of regional problems. While the region has become more associated through trade and other agreements, the EU’s record and resolve in becoming a trusted and credible anchor for stability for the region has not been convincing to many South Eastern Europeans.
How can Europeans together, in particular young people, create a new positive narrative for a common future against the backdrop of the difficult past and open national questions? Can the challenges and conflicts be transformed by faster European integration? Might the conditionality approach cause problems that it should solve? Will the coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty contribute to new dynamics?
We are greatful to the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, to the European Cultural Foundation and to CSS Project for Integrative Mediation who enabled us to organize a hopefully illuminative and constructive discussion.
Click on the link to see the video.
1. Welcome
Rainer Stinner, Member of the Bundestag, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs of the FDP Parliamentary Group
2. Introduction
Tobias Bütow, Member of the Board, Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe
3. "Aufklärung" vs. Denial? Commemorative cultures in South Eastern Europe
Moderator: Damir Arsenijevic, University of Tuzla
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Natasa Kandić, Humanitarian Law Centre, Belgrade
3.3. Vesna Teršelić, Documenta, Zagreb
3.4. Mirsad Tokača, Research and Documentation Centre, Sarajevo
3.5. Discussion
4. Today’s conflicts and challenges in South Eastern Europe
Moderator: Tobias Flessenkemper, European Union Police Mission, Sarajevo
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Agron Bajrami, Editor-in-chief of Koha Ditore, Prishtina
4.3. Srečko Latal, Balkan Investigative Reporting Network/International Crisis Group, Sarajevo
4.4. Maja Stojanović, Director, Youth Initiative for Human Rights, Belgrade
4.5. Solveig Richter, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Berlin
4.6. Discussion
5. What’s next? The EU’s Western Balkans policy – risks and opportunities
Moderator: Frank Hofmann, Europe-Correspondent, Brussels
5.1. Introduction
5.2 Marko Prelec, Balkan Project Director, International Crisis Group, Brussels/Sarajevo
5.3 Marieluise Beck, Member of the Bundestag, Member of the Foreign Policy Committee, Berlin
5.4. Tanja Fajon, Member of the European Parliament, Delegation to the EU-Croatia Joint-Parliamentary Committee, Brussels
5.5. Zoltan Martinusz, Director, Directorate Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Council of the European Union, Brussels
5.6. Emily Haber, Ambassador and Special Envoy for South Eastern Europe, German Federal Foreign Office
5.7. Discussion and Conclusion
6. Annex
Photo documentation
Conference programme (pdf)
Credits
Editor: Tobias Bütow / Tobias Flessenkemper
Camera / Post-Production: Adrian Jankowski
Berlin, January 2010
Veranstaltungskalender
Gesichter der Stiftung
40. Geburtstag der Stiftung
