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POLITICAL CONSENSUS FOR EU REFORM IN THE WESTERN BALKANS

On July 4, 2025, the Council for Inclusive Governance (CIG) convened a regional roundtable in Skopje, North Macedonia. The event brought together senior politicians from the six Western Balkan countries to discuss how to advance regional cooperation, with a focus on building both domestic and regional consensus on EU reforms. The event continued the dialogue initiated at previous regional discussions, particularly the Budva roundtable in May 2025.

 

The discussions came at a time of critical reflection for the Western Balkans. Reform fatigue, societal polarization, and uncertainty around EU enlargement have cast doubts on the future of the region. The roundtable aimed to address these realities by exploring how national political actors – from both government and opposition – can forge durable consensus around reform. Participants considered institutional models, communication strategies, and the role of civil society in bridging divides and sustaining momentum. They also reflected on lessons from regional cooperation, progress under the EU’s Growth Plan, and the risks of entangling bilateral disputes and the EU accession process. Below is the report from the meeting draft by CIG Associate Jeta Loshaj.