Italy-Albania and the European Future of the Western Balkans
The Western Balkans have returned to the centre of Europe’s strategic debate. Russia’s war against Ukraine, growing instability around Europe’s borders and the renewed urgency of EU enlargement have made Albania’s European path part of a broader discussion on the future of European security.
Albania has also become a significant partner in one of Europe’s most contentious policy debates: migration. The Italy-Albania protocol on the external processing of asylum claims has turned the country into a test case for how EU member states seek to reconcile border management, the rule of law and rights protection, and political pressures over irregular migration.
Is this the right time to enlarge the European Union? What role can Albania play in strengthening regional stability and European security? How should the Union engage with the Western Balkans at a time when geopolitical competition is reshaping the continent? And how will Italy-Albania relations, including over migration and asylum, shape the future of European asylum and migration policy?
SPEAKER
Ferit Hoxha, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania
MODERATION
Stefano Feltri, Communication Advisor, Institute for European Policymaking @ Bocconi University
CONCLUSIONS
Nathalie Tocci, Senior Fellow, Institute for European Policymaking @ Bocconi University
For more information and to participate, please contact: iep@unibocconi.it
