FORUM OF SCHOOLS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATIONS

Topic: "Western Balkans and European Integration"

Panellists: Mr Osman Topcagic, Director of Directorate for the European Integration, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and dr Gordana Djurovic, Minister for Foreign Economic Relations and European Integration

Moderator: Mr Stevo Muk, Executive director of CDNGO

The European Integration Schools Forum has been successfully promoting the concept of open lectures and discussions on the subject of European Integrations since February 2006. On 15 May 2006, at the Faculty of Economics, the Forum hosted a discussion on the topic "Western Balkans and European Integration". The main speakers were Mr Osman Topçagic, Director of Directorate for the European Integration in the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and dr Gordana Djurovic, Minister for Foreign Economic Relations and European Integration in the Government of the Republic of Montenegro. The European Integration Schools Forum is organised by Centre for Civic Education, Centre for Development of Non-Governmental Organisation and European Movement in Montenegro, supported by the Foundation Open Society Institute - Representative Office Montenegro.

In the introduction, the lecturers gave their views of the current state of affairs in the Western Balkans with respect to the prospect of integration into European Union, and emphasised the importance of regional cooperation as one of the key bases for further integration – and for the success of the entire development process in the region.

Topcagic expressed his conviction that the future of the Western Balkans lies in the European Union, and that the continuation of the enlargement process will bring benefits to both sides. "Without an enlargement to encompass the Western Balkans, European Union will not be complete" stated Topcagic.

He added that the EU has been sending positive signals and supporting the process of integration in the region, but that the real progress will depend on our own efforts – and that all countries in the region must work together to achieve this goal. He also reminded of some of the key EU conditions, whose fulfilment will require regional cooperation - the necessity to cooperate with the Hague tribunal, police and public administration reforms, single market…

"We can and we should cooperate more in the region", emphasised Topcagic.

Minister Djurovic also spoke about the issue of Montenegrin independence, explaining that the future steps towards European integration will be characterised by an accelerated pace, seen that Montenegro managed to establish sound bases for integration in the preceding period.

"Montenegro was already organized well within the framework of the State Union. We created a network for European Integration, established cooperation with key partners, won a partnership with Brussels, adopted legislation, now we are facing the serious process of harmonization".

Djurovic concluded that in Montenegro a significant core of cadre is already being formed to responsibly take up the process of European integration. This is one of the key preconditions for success, because this process concerns the entire society, all of its sectors.

The next important step is to strengthen a network on the regional level, in order to enhance the capacities of individual states to progress in this process – through exchange of experiences, good practices, but also in terms of preparing for an even larger market. Besides, cooperation in the region can only contribute to the political maturity of the Balkan states, and prove their readiness to integrate into a wider community. "The relations among the countries of the Western Balkans in the period to come must become even stronger", underlined Djurovic.

The lectures of both guests inspired a lively discussion among the participants, focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of Montenegro on its road towards EU, regarding the final outcome of its deliberations on the statehood status, but also concerning the concrete forms of regional cooperation that could effectively support the process of European integration.

(reported by Centre for Civic Education)