The next BiEPAG policy discussion is scheduled for October 23rd in Brussels, and it is organized in cooperation with the European Policy Centre. The event will take place at It will be held at the SPARKS (Venue: SPARKS, 60 rue Ravenstein, Balcony Room) from 16:00 – 17:30.
This in-person policy dialogue will discuss the impact of geopolitics on the Western Balkans’ energy sector and the role played by external actors. BiEPAG researchers will present the results of the Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia country reports, which draw from research, a regional public opinion survey, and extensive fieldwork in the region.
The Western Balkan countries have committed to engaging in the green transition, aligning with the EU legislation, and achieving the EU’s climate objectives. Yet significant delays in the implementation process remain. For instance, the 16 carbon-powered plants in the region produce more hazardous toxic emissions than those of all EU member states combined.
The presence of external actors in the Western Balkans’ energy sector adds a geopolitical dimension to the existing domestic resistance to change. In the current geopolitical context, understanding the links between these two dimensions is crucial, not only to identify the blockages, but to be able to overcome them.
Discussants:
Florian Bieber - BiEPAG Coordinator, Professor of Southeast European History and Politics, University of Graz
Marika Djolai - BiEPAG Member, Lecturer, Department of Peace Studies and International Development, University of Bradford
Donika Emini - BiEPAG Member 9Director, Civikos Platform
Vujo Ilic - Research Fellow, Institute of Philosophy and Social Theory, University of Belgrade
Tena Prelec - BiEPAG Member, Assistant Professor, Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS SEE), University of Rijeka amp; Research Associate, LSEE-Research on Southeastern Europe, LSE
Moderator:
Corina Stratulat, Head of the European Politics and Institutions Programme, European Policy Centre
Please register at: The geopolitics of energy: The Western Balkans' green transition challenge (jotform.com)
(The participation is open to EPC members only, the media, and EU officials.)