Kapetanović (RCC): The Western Balkans need a credible and fair path to the EU, but with results

The Western Balkans stand at a critical juncture where climate change has evolved from being primarily an environmental challenge into a fundamental question of economic survival and future development for the entire region. As agriculture grapples with droughts and low productivity, Dr. Drini Imami, a prominent economist from the Agricultural University of Tirana, highlights that the green transition could serve as a crucial card for modernizing the economy. Through collaborative efforts among academic elites from Belgrade, Tirana, Novi Sad, and Skopje, solutions are being crafted to transform vulnerable family farms into competitive players on the European market, turning ecological risks into stable economic growth.

In a recent conference session focused on climate change and the green economy, Dr. Imami emphasized that the greatest challenge facing countries of the Western Balkans is dealing with climate change while simultaneously addressing long-term structural issues such as low productivity, fragmented agricultural holdings, depopulation, and limited financial resources. However, he also pointed out that the green transition can act as a driver for modernization. Investments in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy sources, and rural development can simultaneously enhance competitiveness, resilience, and environmental protection outcomes.

As a representative of the Agricultural University of Tirana, Dr. Imami assessed the impact of climate change on the agricultural sector within the region. He noted that climate change already affects agriculture through more frequent droughts, extreme weather conditions, and increased production risks. Small family farms, which dominate the region, are particularly vulnerable. During the session, several practical solutions were discussed, including strengthening agricultural advisory services, promoting climate-smart farming practices, and developing policies based on evidence and data.

Regional academic collaboration was highlighted as essential in tackling ecological challenges that transcend national borders. The Western Balkan countries face similar challenges and can benefit significantly from exchanging experiences, research results, and learned lessons in creating policies. Joint research and cross-border initiatives can contribute to the development of more effective and better-coordinated responses to common ecological problems.

As a member of the Advisory Board of the Conference, Dr. Imami outlined the key arguments for making the green economy one of the central pillars of the Third BAAE Conference. He emphasized that the green economy is not just about environmental protection but also about development. It holds significant importance in the context of European integration, which represents one of the key strategic goals for Western Balkan countries.

Practical and applicable steps proposed by panelists included targeted investments in climate adaptation, strengthening agricultural advisory services, improving data collection and exchange, and supporting climate-smart innovations. It was stressed that the goals of environmental protection and economic development should be achieved simultaneously rather than viewed as mutually exclusive.

Research presented at the conference aims to go beyond academic circles and be applied in practice. Specifically, these studies can help governments of Western Balkan countries make better-informed decisions regarding climate change policies. For example, studies on climate vulnerability and adaptation capacities can assist governments in identifying priorities and more effectively allocating available resources.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Council for Regional Cooperation (RCC), Amer Kapetanović, stated that the Western Balkans need a credible and fair path toward EU membership, but this credibility must be accompanied by concrete results. Speaking at the 19th Dubrovnik Forum during a panel titled "EU and the Western Balkans: Jointly Addressing Open Issues," Kapetanović noted that the EU's engagement in the Western Balkans is no longer solely a matter of enlargement policy but also a strategic necessity for Europe as a whole.

He emphasized that political commitments must translate into reforms, investments, stronger regional cooperation, and tangible benefits for citizens. In an increasingly divided and uncertain world, completing the European project entails including the Western Balkans in the European family. The forum brought together political leaders, diplomats, policymakers, and experts to discuss changes in the global order, security, and Europe’s strategic position, as well as the importance of cooperation in an increasingly fragmented environment.

During the panel on the EU and the Western Balkans, discussions centered around the strategic urgency of the Union's engagement in the region and the need to convert political obligations into credible implementation. Participants spoke about maintaining a merit-based expansion process while addressing growing geopolitical and security challenges, uneven progress in the region, and the need for faster European consolidation.

The panel was moderated by former German army colonel and chief of staff of the High Representative Aleksandar Roter, alongside Kapetanović, and featured ministers of foreign affairs from Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as representatives from the European Parliament and the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs. On the margins of the forum, Kapetanović held a bilateral meeting with Slovenia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tone Kajzer, where officials exchanged views on regional cooperation and the European perspectives of the Western Balkans.

Looking ahead, the focus remains on ensuring that the Western Balkans' journey towards EU integration is both credible and grounded in real progress. This includes implementing necessary reforms, enhancing regional cooperation, and aligning economic development with environmental sustainability principles. The upcoming months will likely see continued emphasis on these themes, with various stakeholders working to bridge the gap between policy aspirations and practical outcomes.