"We are witnessing the high level of sustained commitment of our civil servants dealing with the EU Accession process and their willingness to progress in the EU integration journey, no matter the uneven pace of progress of their administrations. The EU's commitment to the European perspective of the Western Balkans is now revitalized, and this was clear throughout the lectures held by renowned speakers and EC officials during the programme. Boosting the competencies of teams dealing with EU integration is crucial to our efforts for joining the EU. To that aim, ReSPA is proud to support them continuously in this path, through similar activities as this one, designed in partnership with renowned schools and institutes," said Maja Handjiska-Trendafilova, ReSPA Director.

Day 1: Enlargement momentum, EU institutions, EU Public Policies and Decision-Making in the EU

Andrea CASCONE, Director for the Western Balkans in the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs kicked off the programme with a keynote intervention on the enlargement momentum. He highlighted that the pace of the process seems to be somehow slow and Italy is concerned about this. The war in Ukraine is a game changer and the EU shall draw lessons, thus highlighting the geopolitical value of the Enlargement. Mr Cascone called for sustainable resolution of disputes and political stability in the Western Balkans and greater regional integration. On the other hand, the EU shall keep the process credible, counter disinformation and focus more on building capacities in the region (among others for absorption of EU funds).

Mario MUNTA, researcher at the Robert Shuman Centre of the EUI, covered the topic of EU institutions, competencies of EU public policies and the decision-making process in the EU. Mr Munta briefly analyzed the “behind the curtain” work of the main EU institutions, such as the Council of the EU, the European Commission, the European Parliament, the External Action Service, etc. He paid special focus to the different types of competencies of EU public policies: while Exclusive ones cover the areas where only the EU has the power to legislate and adopt binding laws directly applicable in EU member states (Common Customs Union, Competition Policy, Monetary Policy for the Eurozone and Conservation of Marine Biological Resources), Shared Competencies set minimum standards and member states have the freedom to implement stricter rules if they wish (related to Internal Market, Environmental Policy, Consumer Protection and Transport). Finally, the Supporting competencies mean EU support/coordination in Research and Technological Development, Regional Development, Education and Culture and Public Health.

Munta presented the complex decision-making process in shaping EU policies and legislation, underlining that "decision-making involves multiple institutions and a complex process of negotiation and consensus-building". It involves several stages and interactions between the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the EU to shape EU policies and legislation.

In this process,"inter-institutional relations and cooperation are crucial because institutions must engage in dialogue, negotiation, and compromise to achieve consensus on various policy areas, ensuring democratic representation, accountability, and balances within the EU system".

The first day was concluded with an inspirational talk among the former Chief Negotiator of Montenegro, Aleksandar Andrija PEJOVIĆ and the participants on potential enlargement scenarios, the role of the regional cooperation and the impact of unclarity in the region vis-à-vis the accession process.

Day 2: Negotiation skills, mediation, and conflict resolution

Alain LEMPEREUR, a Part-time professor at EUI and a Harvard University faculty, tackled these essential abilities in accession negotiation processes. Navigating disputes, finding common ground, and reaching mutually agreeable solutions are predominantly important for each negotiation stage. Thus, Lempreur focused on the negotiation skills needed to combat disagreements and reach an agreement through communication and compromise. In resolving differences process (whether it involves two individuals, organisations or even nations), some crucial skills include active listening, communication, problem-solving, flexibility, emotional intelligence and persuasion. Through a set of challenging group works and crisis scenarios, Lempreur led participants through an exciting “learning by doing” day.

Day 3: Communicating the EU accession process, the EU Foreign Policy and Diplomacy, The EU and the Western Balkans.

The day started with the senior communication expert Bojan KORDALOV who emphasized the importance to decrypt the EU accession process and bring it to the level that people understand. To do this, Kordalov advised that each administration shall develop a comprehensive and realistic communication strategy, where objectives, targets and means shall be clearly identified. Explaining the benefits of the EU accession and the EU funds will strengthen the understanding of the process of the general public, and interest groups and thus they will feel part of a major project.

Romana VLAHUTIN, Visiting Distinguished Fellow at the German Marshall Fund and former EU Ambassador elaborated on the EU Foreign Policy & Diplomacy guided by the principles of democracy and the rule of law, aiming to promote peace, stability, and prosperity both within Europe and globally. Ms Vlahutin focused on how foreign policy is designed and delivered, its main actors and the specific role of the High Representative for Foreign Policy and EEAS. She explained in a practical way how the EU engages in diplomacy with other countries and international organisations to address global challenges, advance its interests, and promote its values by conducting diplomatic negotiations, dialogues, and cooperation on a wide range of issues. Ms Vlahutin underlined that the balances of power are changing and the EU shall adapt itself to the new realities. EU shall seriously focus on the war in Ukraine, revisit its relations with China, strengthen its focus towards the “Global South” (Africa, South Asia, etc), boost enlargement and reform itself from within – concluded the Ambassador. 

Clive RUMBOLD, Head of the Western Balkans Division in the European External Action Service, made an overview of the Western Balkans and the EU: where the WBs stands regarding the accession process, what is achieved and what must be done for more efficient and faster integration of the region into the European Union. He spotted that the EU membership perspective for the WBs is undeniable and that the stronger the WB administration becomes, the stronger the Union will be in the future – any new member joining the EU changes the Union somehow). Mr Rumbold engaged in a lively Q & A session and joint discussion with the participants on various topics.

In the end of the day Jelena DŽANKIĆ, a part-time professor at the EUI, shed light on a variety of geopolitical factors in fostering stability, peace, democracy and economic development in the EU. She made a thorough analysis of previous enlargement waves of the Union from a unique point of view, bringing to the table the negotiations and political factors that had shaped the process. Important lessons can be learnt from previous enlargements and if tackled properly, these lessons can boost the way how to shape current and future enlargement waves of the EU.

Day 4: New Enlargement Methodology vs EU Accession Negotiations

Jelena DŽANKIĆ decrypted the enlargement methodology and highlighted its main opportunities and challenges. She pointed out the phasing in policies and instruments for accelerated integration, such as access to the Single Market and EU funds, access to specific EU agencies and initiatives which will bring enhanced political stability and more comprehensive regional cooperation and reconciliation - as key opportunities for the Western Balkans on their path to the EU. How effectively and efficiently they will use these opportunities depends on the strengths and capacities of the teams dealing with the EU Integration process. Dzankic also looked back at the challenges where she underlined the implementation of reforms as a key one, but also economic convergence and public support and awareness.

Simonida KAČARSKA, senior expert on EU Integration discussed key sectoral issues typical for the Western Balkans in accelerated integration, concrete opportunities and challenges for phasing in in various sectoral policies and key sectoral issues in accession negotiations, and led participants into two practical exercises to better absorb the topic.

At the end of the Programme, participants were awarded the joint ReSPA – EUI Executive certificate.

ReSPA Programme Coordinator Genti Xhaxhiu was excited about the success of the Summer School, its diverse programme and the strong learning components throughout all the days.  “The importance of the Summer School this year stems from the significance of the accession process, the hopefully renewed momentum and the need for significantly strengthened human capacities not only to transpose but to implement and enforce EU policies and standards already during the accession phase. ReSPA aims to boost the capacities of public servants on this topic so that in the short future they contribute to EU policies on an equal basis with EU peers in a way in which we will be able to draw benefits and narrow the convergence gap.”

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