The Strategic Compass and the Western Balkans: Towards a tailor-made and strategic approach to partnerships?

On 7 July 2021, the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) and the Slovenian Ministry of Defence co-organised a seminar focusing on the Strategic Compass and the Western Balkans. The event took place within the context of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The event sought to understand how the EU can evolve its strategic partnership with the Western Balkans, and especially with candidate countries. The discussions also focused on what role the EU can play in building capacity in the region and contributing to resilience.

The seminar was opened by Uroš Lampret, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Republic of Slovenia, and it was closed by Peter Grk, Secretary-General of the Bled Strategic Forum. Two panel sessions focused on perspectives of the Western Balkan countries, EU enlargement and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and developing a tailor-made strategic approach for security and defence. The co-organisers were pleased to welcome high-level speakers from the European External Action Service and civil society organisations and think tanks from the region.