As part of the BiEPAG policy visit to Paris (23–24 March 2026), the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG), together with its partners, is organizing a public panel discussion titled “The Enlargement of the European Union: A Strategic Choice? France, the Western Balkans and the EU in an Uncertain Geopolitical Context”.
The panel will bring together policymakers, analysts, and former government officials to discuss the strategic implications of European Union enlargement in the current geopolitical environment and the evolving role of France and the Western Balkans in this debate.
This event is jointly organised between the Austro-French Centre for Rapprochement in Europe (ÖFZ), French Institute for International Relations (ifri), European Fund for the Balkans (EFB), andBalkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG).
The discussion panel will take place on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30, and will be held online and in person at the French Institute for International Relations (Ifri), 27 rue de la Procession, 75015 Paris.
In order to attend the event either in person or online, please register here.
Agenda
10h00 | Welcome Remarks
Dominique David, Advisor to Chairman of Ifri, President of the Austro-French Centre for Rapprochement in Europe (CFA)
10h05 | Keynote
Benjamin Haddad, Minister Delegate for Europe, attached ti the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs
10h15 | Discussion
Pierre Vimont, senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, former Executive Secretary-General, European External Action Service
Jovana Marović, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs of Montenegro, BiPAG member
Nikola Dimitrov, former Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, BiPAG member
Doris Wydra, Senior Scientist and Executive Director of the Salzburg Centre of European Union Studies
Chair:
Florent Marciacq, Deputy Secretary General of the Austro-French Centre for Rapprochement in Europe (CFA), and Research associate at the Ifri
