Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), in partnership with Modul University Vienna, is pleased to host the second session of the Western Balkans First Series, a high-level conference exploring the strategic, political, and social dynamics shaping Europe today. Against the backdrop of an EU navigating internal divisions, debates over its future enlargement, and the complex challenges posed by ongoing geopolitical crises, the conference will bring together leading policymakers, scholars, and experts to discuss two pressing topics.
The first panel, Waiting for Godot: European Enlargement in the Western Balkans, will explore the longstanding delays and frustrations experienced by Western Balkan countries in their EU accession journey. Participants will examine the political, governance, and societal challenges that have kept the region waiting for decades.
The second panel, Too Big to Digest: The High Stakes of Ukrainian EU Accession, will highlight Ukraine’s accelerated path toward membership, effectively “skipping the queue.” The discussion will address the political, security, and social implications of integrating a country facing ongoing conflict and major reform challenges.
The conference will conclude with a standing reception, providing participants with an opportunity for further discussion and networking. This event aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the EU’s evolving role in Europe, contrasting the slow-moving Western Balkans enlargement process with Ukraine’s rapid accession trajectory.
