On 15th of March 2010, a group of 5 LDP fellows (IV Edition, 2009 – 2010) from Albania, Macedonia, Serbia and Romania, in close collaboration with the European University of Tirana and the EU Info Centre in Tirana, organized a panel discussion for the launching of the booklet presenting country analysis on the challenges of “Achieving the EU Candidate Status - A regional perspective from Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Romania”.
The event was moderated by Mr. Enri Hide, Lecturer of International Relation, European University of Tirana.
The opening speech was held by Professor Judy Batt, the Academic Dean of the Programme, who briefly presented the SEE – EU Leadership Development Programme, which is an academic programme jointly developed by the College of Europe (Bruges) and TRANSFUSE Association (Berlin), with the financial support of the European Fund for the Balkans (Belgrade).
Professor Batt described the aim of the programme that is to transmit knowledge about the EU and the development of its relations with Southeast Europe, as well as wider issues of international and economic relations, as well as to stimulate the leadership and professional skills of participants and to encourage an exchange of views.
LDP Fellows, Ms. Enkeleda Suti, Co-author on Albania’s perspective, Mr. Andreja Bodganovski, Author on Macedonia’s perspective, Ms. Ana Djukic, Author on Serbia’s perspective and Ms. Adela Pintea, Author on Romania’s perspective, during their presentations were focused in presenting the key findings from their analysis of the process of achieving EU candidate status seen from a regional perspective with the aim of identifying differences and similarities of the process.
H.E. Mr. Viorel Stanila, Ambassador of the Embassy of Romania to Albania, focused his presentation in analyzing and sharing Romania’s experience towards achieving the EU candidate status and its perspective on the Western Balkans.
Mr. Geron Kamberi, Expert on EU Integration Issues, during his presentation was focused in assessing the fulfilment of the Political Criteria from Albania, especially Justice and Home Affairs and the visa liberalisation process. Mr. Gledis Gjipali, Executive Director of the European Movement in Albania, was focused in analyzing the capacities of the Albanian Public Administration in the EU Integration process.
The panel discussion was followed with interest by representatives from diplomatic corps in Albania, civil society, students and academic community. The event was also followed with interest by printed and visual media.
