ESI presentations in Skopje, Belgrade and Sarajevo on the new South Eastern Europe and meetings with high ranking officals in Macedonia and Serbia

In the course of its "South East Europe 2006" campaign, ESI gave presentations at conferences organised by the Open Society Institute in Skopje, Belgrade and Sarajevo. The overarching goal of this campaign is to foster a broad debate on European Policy towards the countries of South Eastern Europe and to create a consensus within the EU about the need for a coherent approach.

At the conference "The End of the Western Balkan and Chances of Macedonia to enter the European Union" in Skopje on 3rd November, ESI President Gerald Knaus joined a round table discussion and gave a presentation that was broadcast on the Macedonian TV channel "Kanal 5". Mr. Knaus also held talks with Branko Crvenkovski, President of the Republic of Macedonia, with Ali Ahmeti, President of DUI party and with Radmila Sekerinska, Vice President of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia. Moreover, he gave an interview to the Macedonian daily "Utrinski Vesnik".

Being invited to the conference "How to catch up with the rest of South East Europe", Gerald Knaus gave a presentation in Sarajevo on 30th November. In addition, he participated in the discussion show "FAKTA" on the Bosnian TV channel "BHT 1" which was broadcast on 7th December.

In Belgrade, Mr. Knaus and ESI Senior Fellow Minna Järvenpää gave presentations at the conference "New forms of EU assistance to the Western Balkans" on 2nd December. Mr. Knaus gave interviews to the magazines "Vreme", "Mreža" and "Ekonomist".

ESI is committed to a European perspective for the Western Balkans and will continue to contribute its ideas and visions to the current debate.