In the framework of the "West Balkans and the EU" lecture cycle, the International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES)
invites You kindly to take part at the lecture entitled
"WEST BALKAN STATES TO THE EU WITHOUT VISAS – DIVIDING THE STATES INTO GOOD AND BAD ONES"
which will be held on Thursday, 19 November 2009 at 16.00 h
in the Auditorium of Center Evropa at Dalmatinova 4 in Ljubljana
The lecture on the current situation and future prospects of the West Balkan states will be delivered by Tanja Fajon (S&D/SD), Member of the European Parliament (EP), Member of the EP Committee for Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism and EP Rapporteur for visa liberalisation of West Balkan states.
During the past few months the West Balkans have once again become the burning issue in the negotiations between the European institutions – the Council, the Commission and the Parliament. However, this time the reason is not only the enlargement processes but also the visa liberalisation which is expected to be implemented on 1 January 2010 for Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania have been left out of the first round of liberalisation and Kosovo has not even been mentioned. What is the meaning of dividing once again the Balkan states into good and bad ones? When will the second round take place, if at all? Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing the black scenario again. This ethnically split state will be even more torn apart after such division. The two states deserve at least a clear timetable and some concrete assistance. The politicians keep forgetting that it is the people who have to stand in the queues at embassies.
The report on the visa liberalisation for the West Balkans which has stirred up many tensions in the European and Balkan publics and divided the politicians into sceptics and liberalists, was prepared by Slovenia's MEP Tanja Fajon.
The lecture will be given in the Slovenian language. It will be followed by a discussion with Tanja Fajon which will be moderated by Zijad Bećirović and Bakhatyar Aljaf.
Attendance is free of charge. Please confirm your participation at telephone number (01) 430 15 33 or at ifimes@ifimes.org .
The realisation of the event in Center Evropa was enabled by the Government Communication Office and European Commission Representation in Slovenia.
Ljubljana, 10 November 2008
