Seminar "Regional and European Perspectives of the Western Balkans"

Seminar

Regional and European Perspectives of the Western Balkans

Tallinn, Riigikogu Conference Center

4 October 2012

9.30 Welcome by Mr. Urmas Paet, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia and Mrs. Renate Kobler, Ambassador of Austria to Estonia

9.45 Introduction by Mr. Mart Laanemäe, Undersecretary for Europe and Transatlantic Cooperation, Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

10.00-12.00 EU Perspective of the Western Balkans

Moderator Mr. Mart Laanemäe

“General Assessment of the Western Balkans’ EU Perspective”, Ambassador Heidemaria Gürer, Head of the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, Central Asia Department, Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs

“Prospects of the Accession Process from Skopje”, Ambassador Aivo Orav, Head of EU Delegation, Skopje

“The Western Balkans in limbo? New challenges for the region in times of political and economic crisis” Dr. Vedran Dzihic, University of Vienna, Institute for Political Science

“Reconciliation Process in former Yugoslavia”, Assoc. Prof. Jani Milchakov, Member of the Managing Board, Institute for Democracy and Stability in South-East Europe

12.00-13.00 Lunch

13.00 - 14.30 Security Issues in the Western Balkans

Moderator Mr. Martin Hurt, Member of the Executive Board, International Center of Defence Studies

"Soft Security issues -  a bottom-up approach to EU integration" Ambassador Werner Almhofer, Head of the EU Enlargement Department, Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs and former Head of Mission to the OSCE Mission in Kosovo

“Influence of the Security Situation on the Functioning of the Justice System”, Mrs. Kristiina Herodes, Former EULEX Kosovo Justice Spokesperson

“The Approach of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports on the Western Balkans”, Colonel of General Staff Thomas Ahammer, Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports

14.30-14.45 Coffee break

14.45- 16.15  Economic Situation in the Western Balkans – Challenges and Opportunities

Moderator Prof. Andres Kasekamp, Director, Estonian Foreign Policy Institute

“Crisis and An Unfinished Transition Agenda”, Prof. Vladimir Gligorov, Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, Director of Research, Expert for the Western Balkans

“Economic Development and Information Society Challenges in the Western Balkans”, Mr. Hannes Astok, e-Government Expert and Former Member of the Estonian Parliament

“Investing in the Western Balkans: Is the Political Risk in Balance with Expected Profitability? ”, PhD, Viljar Veebel, International Relations Lecturer and Private Investor

16.15 Closing remarks by Mr. Mart Laanemäe

Seminar organized by: Embassy of Austria in Tallinn, Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonian Foreign Policy Institute and International Center of Defence Studies