The Netherlands, and specifically Dutch citizens, are often seen as fundamentally sceptical about EU enlargement. But how deeply rooted is scepticism on EU enlargement in the Dutch population? How do public attitudes towards enlargement relate to broader perceptions of the European Union? And does it matter if people have seen the latest season of the popular gameshow ‘Wie is de mol’, which was recorded in Albania?

To answer these questions and more, on 25 November, the report “Strict, fair and more open towards EU enlargement! Dutch Public Opinion on EU Membership of the Western Balkans” as prepared by the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB), Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG) and d|part will be launched. The study, conducted early summer in the Netherlands through a public opinion survey (N=1500, May-June), in-person focus groups (in Rotterdam, June), and interviews with policy and decision makers (August-October) offers a detailed insight into Dutch public attitudes on EU enlargement.

The first session will present the main results of the report with a first response. After a lunch break we will dive into the results and discuss the meaning of the findings for the Netherlands and EU enlargement as such.

PROGRAMME

10:30 – 11:00: Walk-in

11:00 – 11:45: Presentation report: Strict, fair and more open towards EU enlargement! Dutch Public Opinion on EU Membership of the Western Balkans

Short word of welcome by Louise van Schaik, the Clingendael Institute

Presentation of results by Tobias Spöri, d|part

First response from Thijs Reuten, Member of European Parliament, PvdA (Samp;D)

11:45 – 12:45: Lunch break

12:45 – 14.00: Panel discussion and Qamp;A

Srđan Cvijić,
Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group / Belgrade Centre for Security Policy

Jeroen van Wijngaarden, 
Member of Parliament and spokesman European Affairs for the VVD, vice-chairman of the parliamentary committee for Defence

Angelina Eichhorst, 
European External Action Service

Wouter Zweers,
the Clingendael Institute

Florian Bieber, 
University of Graz / Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group

Moderation by Sophie Derkzen, Bureau Buitenland



Please join us live or online for this exciting event!

Go to Clingendael YouTube channel to watch the event online.