Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #westernbalkans
Most recents (24)
1/ The events of the past days illustrate that the West is committed to a #WesternBalkans policy centered on @avucic, with willful blindness towards his depredations against independent media, justice, and public/civic life and his irridentist designs on neighbors.
3/ Events in Kosovo and Serbia this Friday-Saturday – and the US and EU reaction – demonstrated just how low that policy has brought the West’s vaunted commitment to democratic values and rule of law. Statements of principal officials, including the US Secretary of State…
#WesternBalkans: North Macedonia hosted trilateral Serbia-Kosovo-EU discussions, within the framework of the EU-facilitated Dialogue. Serbia and Kosovo committed to implement various aspects of the standardization plan. The main advance is the approval of Kosovo to allow⤵️
an “appropriate level of self-management” (= autonomy) of the regions populated by the Serb community. The first evaluation of the fulfillment of the conditions could be the second summit of the European Political Community, which will take place in Moldova.⤵️
The Kosovar delegation is supposed to participate in the event. The EU promised both Serbia and Kosovo that under the normalization process they will both advance on their path to the EU, without explicitly mentioning that Kosovo will gain EU candidate status.⤵️
The #EP4U Conference is starting NOW! We've got a great day planned looking at #Enlargement, #FundamentalRights, #Migration, and #ClimateAction with our great speakers!
We're live on @YouTube, and we're collecting key highlights here on @Twitter
/THREAD
We're live on @YouTube, and we're collecting key highlights here on @Twitter
/THREAD
We're in the opening session with TEPSA Executive Director @MariamKhote and @Hertie_Security's @bctallis
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"We value youth for what it may become. Youth is unsullied by the realities of live, and there is a massive potential in young people as a result"
- @bctallis (@Hertie_Security)
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- @bctallis (@Hertie_Security)
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I understand statements like these. But the point is: #EUenlargement no longer has any credibility. And until the MS give up their prerogative right of unanimity, valuable years will pass, which we no longer have in my eyes. We are currently losing the #WesternBalkans. (1/9)
Each enlargement so far has been a political decision. In the case of #Bulgaria and #Romania, the EU was willing to bear the costs of insufficient accession capacity. At the same time, with the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, a relatively smart instrument was found. (2/9)
So why wait decades until the #WesternBalkans are 100% ready for accession? Why not take another risk, make a political descision and put appropriate safeguards in place? I think #Ukraine's application opens a unique window of opportunity to redesign EU enlargement. (3/9)
The #CzechPPC is starting NOW! As always, we'll be highlighting the best bits here on our Twitter account 💪🇨🇿
@IIR_Prague @dice_h2020 @EUROPEUMPrague @CEI_Secretariat @CzechMFA
/THREAD🧵
@IIR_Prague @dice_h2020 @EUROPEUMPrague @CEI_Secretariat @CzechMFA
/THREAD🧵
This article by @andrewduffEU is sadly typical of group think in & around the Brussels bubble.
“Nobody who knows how the Brussels institutions work-without a strong government-can be confident the EU is fit to internalize #Ukraine’s national problem.” 1/
politico.eu/article/ukrain…
“Nobody who knows how the Brussels institutions work-without a strong government-can be confident the EU is fit to internalize #Ukraine’s national problem.” 1/
politico.eu/article/ukrain…
It’s a well informed piece (from an #EU perspective) that on the surface might sound eminently reasonable- like some other recent attempts to fob off #Ukraine with 2nd class options. BUT, the quote in the previous tweet gives the game away. It shows 🇺🇦 is seen as a problem 2/
Rather than being recognised as the #EU’s best geopolitical opportunity in a generation, #Ukraine is presented as a cost, a burden to be borne, not a huge potential benefit to be embraced, or a possibility for EU renewal to be welcomed. 3/
ip-quarterly.com/en/integrating…
ip-quarterly.com/en/integrating…
⬇️To deepen trade links
⬇️To strengthen global supply chains
⬇️To invest together in green and digital technologies
⬇️To keep people safe
💡The #GlobalGateway is our new strategy to connect the🌍
Together, we make connections work for people and the planet
#TeamEurope
⬇️To strengthen global supply chains
⬇️To invest together in green and digital technologies
⬇️To keep people safe
💡The #GlobalGateway is our new strategy to connect the🌍
Together, we make connections work for people and the planet
#TeamEurope
The #GlobalGateway stands for trusted connectivity that works for people and the planet
For us, global connectivity needs to be:
🌳 sustainable
🤝 comprehensive
🛡️ secure
👩⚖️rules-based
🧑🏾🤝🧑🏻 human-centric
🌍 geographically adapted
#TeamEurope
For us, global connectivity needs to be:
🌳 sustainable
🤝 comprehensive
🛡️ secure
👩⚖️rules-based
🧑🏾🤝🧑🏻 human-centric
🌍 geographically adapted
#TeamEurope
The #GlobalGateway is an innovative project to deploy digital networks and infrastructures with partner countries through investments in:
🌳☀️Climate and energy
🚘Transport
💻Digital
👨⚕️Health
👩🏫Education and research
#TeamEurope
🌳☀️Climate and energy
🚘Transport
💻Digital
👨⚕️Health
👩🏫Education and research
#TeamEurope
With the #SofiaDeclaration, the 6 #WesternBalkans countries have committed to #climateneutrality in 2050. To achieve this, a #lignite phase-out for power production is needed, ideally by 2040. To support the debate, we have developed 6 pathways (THREAD). #EUGreenDeal 1/12
Where do we stand today? WB-6 power markets consist almost exclusively of two generation technologies: #lignite and #hydro. The share of either source varies considerably between the countries. 2/12
Finding 1: 90 % of #lignite power plants in the #westernbalkans was put into operation 30 or more years ago. 40 % of the capacities are older than 40 years. The power plant park is in urgent need of #modernisation. 3/12
A 🧵about a confusing signals on 🇪🇺 enlargement to the #WesternBalkans 👇
1⃣ During her ongoing #WB6 tour @vonderleyen is sending clear messages of hope, to 🇲🇰"You will be part of the EU, It is not a question of if, but when", to 🇦🇱"as future EU member, I also want Albania to fully take part in the Conference on the future of Europe"
2⃣Yet a @Reuters piece, quoting unnamed 4 🇪🇺 diplomats, wrote "fearing a political backlash in member states, [EU] can no longer agree to give a guarantee of future membership to the six Balkan countries" reuters.com/world/europe/e…
🇸🇮 #PPCLjubljana DAY 2 is kicking off as we speak! Join us LIVE on #Zoom for our first panel of the day, from the #InDivEU Project!
As always, we are highlighting the key takeaways here, so stay with us for #PPCLjubljana day 2!💪
/THREAD 🧵
As always, we are highlighting the key takeaways here, so stay with us for #PPCLjubljana day 2!💪
/THREAD 🧵
Our first panel of the day is all about #DifferentiatedIntegration and the #FutureofEurope: @MichaelKaeding (@unidue) is moderating the discussion between Sandra Kröger (#InDivEU/@UniofExeter), @bonomimat (@IdeaEu/@IAIonline), and Magdalena Góra (#EU3D/@JagiellonskiUni)
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We are also going to enjoy a keynote also from @dubravkasuica, VP of the @EU_Commission
"In our work on democracy, the #CoFoE is a process to bring all Europeans together"
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"In our work on democracy, the #CoFoE is a process to bring all Europeans together"
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The #InDivEU panel at #PPCLjubljana is going LIVE 🔴 on #Zoom!
Join us over at the @tepsaeu Pre-Presidency Conference!
Below are our key highlights
/THREAD 🧵
▶️ tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
Join us over at the @tepsaeu Pre-Presidency Conference!
Below are our key highlights
/THREAD 🧵
▶️ tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
First up in the panel is a keynote address from @EU_Commission Vice-Presidency @dubravkasuica, who talks about her brief in the Commission: democracy and demography
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The #CoFoE is a key theme of the speech: citizens' role in shaping the #FutureofEurope is a priority of the conference, and citizens from across Europe can deliberate with each other
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Maja Bucar, from @FDVLjubljana, is giving the initial address to #PPCLjubljana: "one of the positive things of having a conference virtually is that we can reach more people around Europe"
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TEPSA has been hosting our flagship bi-annual Pre-Presidency Conferences (PPC) for decades, always joining up with our Member Institute in the country taking on the upcoming @EUCouncil Presidency, it's become a milestone in the European calendar 💪
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TEPSA Secretary-General Jim Cloos welcomes participants to #PPCLjubljana: "the Presidency gives an impression of ownership in the Member States"
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🗓️#PPCLjubljana is tomorrow!🇸🇮
Before we launch into the TEPSA Slovenian Pre-Presidency Conference, a landmark on the European calendar, let's have a quick run through all the panels you can enjoy over the next two days
👉 tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
/THREAD 🧵
Before we launch into the TEPSA Slovenian Pre-Presidency Conference, a landmark on the European calendar, let's have a quick run through all the panels you can enjoy over the next two days
👉 tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
/THREAD 🧵
#PPCLjubljana opens with remarks from @FDVLjubljana and TEPSA, and we welcome @AnzeLog Minister of Foreign Affairs @MZZRS to give the @SLOtoEU position on #EU2021SI
👉 tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
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👉 tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
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We then present #TEPSARecommendations, coordinated by @FundaTekin17, @NicolePirozzi, and @IlkeToygur, featuring work from @agarcod, @LouiseVanSchaik, and Natasha Wunsch to Gasper Dovzan from @MZZRS
We'll also hear from @EngagEU_Project
👉 tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
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We'll also hear from @EngagEU_Project
👉 tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
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I asked @MiroslavLajcak why should the #WesternBalkan leaders trust the EU promises, taking into account the EU failed to deliver visa liberalisation to #Kosovo and accession talks with #NorthMacedonia.
His reply was abhorrent: "If you don't trust the EU, go somewhere else." 1/
His reply was abhorrent: "If you don't trust the EU, go somewhere else." 1/
Lajčak continued by saying: "It's trendy to criticise the EU about the visa liberlisation, but #Kosovo leaders should go to those countries blocking the freedom to travel and ask how to comply."
However, all the required benchmarks for visa lib have been delivered by Kosovo! 2/
However, all the required benchmarks for visa lib have been delivered by Kosovo! 2/
.@Bujar_O, Foreign Affairs Minister of #NorthMacedonia spoke eloquently about the erosion of EU credibility in the #WesternBalkans:
"We keep hearing 'If you deliver, we will deliver', and we changed both our country's name and the constitution, but the EU hasn't delivered." 3/
"We keep hearing 'If you deliver, we will deliver', and we changed both our country's name and the constitution, but the EU hasn't delivered." 3/
🚨#TEPSARecommendations to #EU2021SI/@SLOtoEU @EUCouncil‼️
@FundaTekin17 (@IEP_Berlin), @agarcod (@CidobBarcelona), @LouiseVanSchaik (@Clingendaelorg), and Natasha Wunsch (@SciencesPo_CEE) have contributed to a video!
👉 tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
@IlkeToygur @NicolePirozzi
@FundaTekin17 (@IEP_Berlin), @agarcod (@CidobBarcelona), @LouiseVanSchaik (@Clingendaelorg), and Natasha Wunsch (@SciencesPo_CEE) have contributed to a video!
👉 tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
@IlkeToygur @NicolePirozzi
.@agarcod from @CidobBarcelona calls for #EU2021SI to level up the EU's digital policy:
1⃣ Review GDPR implementation mechanisms
2⃣ Promote digital hygiene
3⃣ Develop new tech in an ethical and robust way
👉 tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
1⃣ Review GDPR implementation mechanisms
2⃣ Promote digital hygiene
3⃣ Develop new tech in an ethical and robust way
👉 tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
.@LouiseVanSchaik from @Clingendaelorg discusses what #EU2021SI should do with the #EUGreenDeal:
1⃣ Be wary of the EU's position leading up to COP-26
2⃣ Step up green diplomacy efforts
3⃣ Take #ClimateChange policy to the next level
➡️ tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
1⃣ Be wary of the EU's position leading up to COP-26
2⃣ Step up green diplomacy efforts
3⃣ Take #ClimateChange policy to the next level
➡️ tepsa.eu/tepsa-slovenia…
The 17+1 flop THREAD
1/6
Yesterday’s #China-#CEEC summit was an embarrassment for #Beijing and, to a large extent, a waste of time for Europeans. Nearly a decade after this format was put in place with a lot of fanfare, it’s worth looking back and reflecting what went wrong.
1/6
Yesterday’s #China-#CEEC summit was an embarrassment for #Beijing and, to a large extent, a waste of time for Europeans. Nearly a decade after this format was put in place with a lot of fanfare, it’s worth looking back and reflecting what went wrong.
2/6
There are five flawed assumptions the 16+1 format (17+1 since 2019) was based on.
1. #CEECs’ expectations that #China would be THE source of #FDI capital and a market for their #exports.
The reality:
- 🇨🇳 loans for 🇨🇳 contractors vs limited FDI;
- Growing #trade deficits.
There are five flawed assumptions the 16+1 format (17+1 since 2019) was based on.
1. #CEECs’ expectations that #China would be THE source of #FDI capital and a market for their #exports.
The reality:
- 🇨🇳 loans for 🇨🇳 contractors vs limited FDI;
- Growing #trade deficits.
3/6
2. Conspicuous discrepancy between the - supposedly - regional nature of the format and #China's preference for bilateral relations. The #WesternBalkans were “more equal” than others, which led to disenchantment and frustration in #EU member states in #CentralEasternEurope.
2. Conspicuous discrepancy between the - supposedly - regional nature of the format and #China's preference for bilateral relations. The #WesternBalkans were “more equal” than others, which led to disenchantment and frustration in #EU member states in #CentralEasternEurope.
1-[THREAD] on French politics and #WesternBalkans enlargement. Our NEW research breaking the myths! opensocietyfoundations.org/publications/i… More on @BalkanInsight balkaninsight.com/2021/02/01/sup… or an in depth analysis with @Sebgricourt on @j_jaures tomorrow. @osfEUpolicy @d_part
2-Until a few years ago, French enlargement policies were decided by the executive and a “close-knit community” of people. French public opinion mattered little. #NatashaWunsch @BiEPAG wrote about it aei.pitt.edu/66050/1/pub_58… ⬇️
3-With the 2005 referendum on the European Constitution, the French government (to lure the right to vote "yes") proposed amending the French constitution in order to subject any future enlargement to a popular vote. "any future enlargement"= 🇹🇷 context ovipot.hypotheses.org/321
Today we present Economic & Investment plan for #WesternBalkans to boost economic development & recovery of the region. We will mobilise up to €9 billion of funding for investment flagships in transport, energy, green & digital transition, to create sustainable growth and jobs.
In addition, investment capacity of the region should be boosted by mobilisation of a new #WesternBalkans Guarantee Facility, w ambition to potentially raise investments of up to €20 billion. Plan will increase grants compared to loans, as region’s fiscal space is limited.
The Plan also offers a path for a successful regional economic integration to help accelerate convergence, ultimately speeding up process of #EU integration. This plan should help to transform #WesternBalkans into one of the most attractive region for investments in the world.
#PPCBerlin is about to start!
As always, we'll be live-tweeting the event with some great quotes from our expert panelists and contributors, so stay tuned!
#EU2020DE
@IEP_Berlin @GermanyintheEU @parleu2020de @AuswaertigesAmt @EPinDeutschland @EUinDE @GermanyDiplo @EUCouncil
As always, we'll be live-tweeting the event with some great quotes from our expert panelists and contributors, so stay tuned!
#EU2020DE
@IEP_Berlin @GermanyintheEU @parleu2020de @AuswaertigesAmt @EPinDeutschland @EUinDE @GermanyDiplo @EUCouncil
We kick things of with a video message from Jaap de Zwaan, TEPSA's Secretary-General, and Frank Schimmelfennig, @IEP_Berlin's Chairman of the Academic Advisory Board
/THREAD
/THREAD
#PPCBerlin is our first ever virtual PPC because of #COVID19, which is why our cooperation with @IEP_Berlin has been valuable in taking this unexpected context into account 💪
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EPP reaffirmed its support for a credible #WesternBalkans enlargement & 🇪🇺accession perspective at the EPP EU-Western Balkans Zagreb Leaders Meeting, chaired by President @donaldtuskEPP. Solidarity & good neighbourly relations are key to addressing both the pandemic & infodemic.
.@EU2020HR sent a strong signal of support to the #WesternBalkans countries. It is thanks to the efforts and determination of #Croatia’s Prime Minister @AndrejPlenkovic that the #EU remains true to its word and is committed to future of the region.
We are united in the fight against #Covid19 and we stand in solidarity with the #WesternBalkans, our closest partners, geographically, historically, culturally and economically. When we face challenges together, we overcome them together.
💬Dear friends, it is with deep emotion that I address you at #EPPZagreb today, in my final speech as EPP President. The end of a mandate is always an opportunity to reflect, to take stock of your successes & failures.
💬A priority as EPP President has been building a closer cooperation with #WesternBalkans countries. We honour the late President Martens by continuing to defend the European path of the #WesternBalkans, said @JosephDaul
💬My proudest achievement has been ensuring the #EPP remains united. We are a family of many different perspectives but one that remains true to our founders Christian Democratic values, European commitment & faith in the social market economy, said @JosephDaul at #EPPZagreb
1) THREAD: What to expect if the #US 🇺🇸withdraws from #NATO? At the Körber #PolicyGame, we discussed this scenario w/ high-level officials and experts in coop w/ @IISS_org - here are the summarized results for the Twitterati community: (have mercy, it’s my first thread!)
2) We wanted to know: How would Europeans react in such a situation?What are interests and red lines? Thus, we invited a 🇫🇷, 🇩🇪, 🇵🇱,🇬🇧, and 🇺🇸 team to play our scenario. Crisis in the #South, Crisis in the #East - were #Europeans able to get their act together w/out the 🇺🇸? 💪 🇪🇺
FM @HeikoMaas at the Gymnich meeting of the #EU foreign ministers: The #WesternBalkans are an integral part of #Europe. The agreement between Northern Macedonia and Greece in the naming dispute is a big step forward. We should recognize this success.
@HeikoMaas FM @HeikoMaas on Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Basic Law guarantees freedom of expression and assembly. Anyone who wants to exercise these rights peacefully must not be prevented from doing so by force. We need de-escalation and dialogue.
@HeikoMaas FM @HeikoMaas in Helsinki on #Iran: We have gained new momentum since the G7 Summit. We want to take advantage of this and open the window of opportunity for further dialogue. It remains crucial that Iran return to compliance with its obligations under the #JCPoA.
The new @wiiw_news Handbook of #Statistics 2018 contains updated key #macroeconomic & structural indicators for 22 economies in #CESEE serving as easy-to-use reference tool & facilitating comparisons across topics, countries & time.
wiiw.ac.at/wiiw-handbook-…
Thread: 1/11
wiiw.ac.at/wiiw-handbook-…
Thread: 1/11
New features of the 2018 ed. include e.g.
- new key indicators at #regional levels
- #wages & #investment data by activity now also available for #Turkey
- comparable #structural breakdown for all countries
Find below examples of some conclusions from the newly released data
2/11
- new key indicators at #regional levels
- #wages & #investment data by activity now also available for #Turkey
- comparable #structural breakdown for all countries
Find below examples of some conclusions from the newly released data
2/11
