Two days of insightful presentations followed by thought-provoking discussions in the framework of Tirana Connectivity Forum 2023 (TCF2023) have come to an end. Under the theme “Reloading Enlargement”, the forum organized by Cooperation and Development Institute held from 18-19 September in Tirana hosted policy makers from the EU and WB region, leading think tanks and specialized CSO, regional cooperation organizations, and civil servants in charge of implementation of different international agreements. The discussions were held under the Chatham House rule.
The goal of TCF2023 was to shape the ongoing European debate about a development-based Accession to EU based on regional development; that increases the resilience of South East Europe 6 (SEE6) reform achievements; and, aims at reducing the convergence gap with EU neighboring countries. The discussions made clear how multi-faceted the challenges in the region and in the EU are.
In the current geopolitical context, the Enlargement project needs reframing, resourcing and reloading.
In the first roundtable on “Common Regional Market: from Technical Preparation to Implementation” the discussion focused on 3 Mobility Agreements ratification process. Country-specifics were detailed to illustrate the challenges and draw lessons learned. The focus moved then to the implementation phase of these agreements, as well as on the technical preparation of other agreements in the pipeline. A main takeaway from this roundtable, was the necessity to enhance cooperation between CSOs and regional organizations to close the divide between the public and these technical agreements.
During the “Enlargement Scenarios” roundtable the conversation revolved around specific enlargement scenarios suggestions put forth by European think tanks. These suggestions ranged from the South-East Europe Six (SEE6) gaining access to the EU Single Market; a staged approach to accession; a significant boost in funding for the region, and to the establishment of a fixed EU accession date. All of these proposals aimed to address current socio-economic and geopolitical challenges facing both the EU and the region, so as to speed up Enlargement process. One key recommendation arising from these discussions was the importance of collaboration between CSOs and think tanks to consolidate and attune these proposals into a well-structured CSO message.
During the third roundtable discussion centered on “CSO Engagement in the Implementation of the EU Economic and Investment Plan (EIP)” in the region, underscoring the added value of involving CSOs at every phase of infrastructure project cycle management. Notwithstanding various efforts made to incorporate civil society into consultative processes, there is a pressing need for CSO engagement to be institutionalised with high visibility to meaningfully accompany major choices such as reorienting existing policies or/and engaging in EIP projects. The stronger commitment from the national, regional and EU institutions to work with the CSO-produced results, generated a frank, lively and constructive debate.
The SEE6 access to cohesion policy was the leitmotif of “SEE6 – EU Convergence Highlights” roundtable. Initially justified by SEE6 need for growth, development and convergence with EU, today’s geopolitical and climate change context makes EU’s solidarity with SEE6 indispensable for the European region to secure their reform-induced achievements towards EU membership, speed up their growth rates, and fulfil obligations that result from adoption of the acquis.
The results of Tirana Connectivity Forum 2023 will be conveyed at the pre-summit European Political Community (EPC) think tank forum in Granada with regard to the Connectivity theme; and at the Civil Society and Think Tanks Forum of the Berlin Process in Tirana with regard to the CSO engagement in democratic life at every level of governance.
Click these links Day 1 & Day 2 for further impressions of the Forum.
