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LIBSEEN Leaders Call for EU Enlargement Headway

Liberal South East European Network Discussed about “Liberalism – a New Qualitative Factor for the European Integration.”
3.4 Minutes

Bulgaria`s capital Sofia yet again became the centre of liberal thought on 18th and 19th of September 2015. Liberal dignitaries from all of Southeast Europe came together for the annual leaders` meeting of the Liberal South East European Network (LIBSEEN) “Liberalism – a new qualitative factor for the European integration.” The event was hosted by the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, with the support of the Project Office for Southeast Europe of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) and the Dutch People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). 

Held against the backdrop of the biggest refugee influx in Europe, the two day event also brought together Sir Graham Watson, President of ALDE Party, Juli Minoves, President of Liberal International, Hans van Baalen, MEP and Vice President of ALDE Party, and Prof Karl- Heinz Paqué, Vice President of the Board of Directors of FNF, who addressed the most pressing challenges for the European Union and for the future of the European integration.

The Western Balkans should not be left alone

Calling for a prompt debate on the EU integration of the Western Balkans, Sir Graham Watson remarked in his opening speech “the European Union has many failings, but the great tribes of Europe are better together than apart; and they are better off as an open society than as a closed society.”

During the first panel, moderated by our Project Director Daniel Kaddik, the LIBSEEN leaders shared their views about liberalism as a political and value platform for a new EU enlargement model. Diversity was pointed out as its main characteristic by the President of MRF, Lyutvi Mestan, who remarked, “the present times demonstrate that the integration and the coexistence of different cultural and civilizational models are the core of stability, peace and prosperity”. “Multiculturalism is alive!” Mestan emphasized. Hans van Baalen added that that the common values and common market should not be taken for granted, but need to be further developed in a way that best meet the challenges of the EU`s future. “We shall not stand still, otherwise, we will lose,” van Baalen noted. 

Following this lively discussion, the LIBSEEN leaders adopted a resolution on the European integration of the Western Balkan countries. The resolution calls for revision of the EU enlargement moratorium introduced by the European Commission and highlights the future benefits of EU membership for both the current and future member states. All participants agreed that instead of a unilateral moratorium, the Commission could launch a mechanism for cooperation with and integration of the Western Balkans which could significantly advance the democratisation of the entire region. The resolution will be forwarded for consideration to the ALDE party congress in November.

Liberalism has no borders in Europe

“The EU between the ideas of democracy, multiculturalism, and stability and the realities of Southeast Europe” was the topic of discussion during the second panel, which stressed the impact of the refugee crises at the EU level. “We need a common EU approach on the question of these refugees,” Prof Paqué remarked, underlying the need for an EU strategy in line with liberal ideas.

The contribution of non-government organisations and civil societies to the promotion of liberalism in Southeast Europe was the topic of discussion during the last session for the day. Dr Rainer Adam, Regional Director for East and Southeast Europe of FNF, Robert Benjamin, Regional Director of National Democratic Institute, Sebastjan Pikl, Director of NOVUM Institute in Slovenia, and Sibel Redzheb, Executive Director of New Europe Liberal Society from Bulgaria, shared their experience in promoting and upholding liberalism among the societies of the post-communist countries in the region. “Europe needs to catch up with the Balkans, not the other way around,” remarked Benjamin, “it is the only place in Europe where people of different ethno-religious backgrounds have coexisted. Here the diversity is genuine and has its roots.”

As Vesna Pusić, Chairwoman of LIBSEEN and Deputy Prime Minister of Croatia, commented: “As forward-thinking individuals, liberals have always been instrumental in promoting change. In Western Balkans, this has meant advocating a European future for the countries in the region and maintaining a commitment to reforms.” Indeed, with a clear prospect of EU membership, the Western Balkan countries will keep their motivation to firmly follow the line of democracy and prosperity, which is the only alternative for the region. 

More info on the website of FNF Southeast Europe.

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The event was part of the international global initiative of the Foundation Freedom Week 2015. In the region of East and Southeast Europe there were more than 15 events in 8 cities in 6 offices of the Foundation, promoting FNF contributions to Freedom.