#BalkansDebrief

Europe Center

#BalkansDebrief is an online interview series presented by the Atlantic Council's Europe Center and hosted by journalist Ilva Tare. The program offers a fresh look at the Western Balkans and examines the region's people, culture, challenges, and opportunities. Follow along on Twitter @ACEurope with #BalkansDebrief.

  1. 2024-10-18

    How was the CEFTA deal secured before the Berlin Process Summit? | A Debrief with Manuel Sarrazin

    A last-minute breakthrough enabled the Western Balkans to sign key regional cooperation agreements at the Berlin Process Summit on October 14 of 2024. This was thanks to the skilled diplomacy of Manuel Sarrazin, Germany's Special Representative for the Western Balkans, and the political will of regional leaders. In a crucial compromise, Kosovo agreed to lift its ban on Serbian imports at the Merdare crossing. As part of the deal, Germany and its allies pledged to provide advanced scanners to enhance security at Kosovo-Serbia borders, a necessary step that has yet to be implemented.   Ilva Tare, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council's Europe Center, sat down with Manuel Sarrazin to discuss the complexities of these negotiations. Sarrazin shares how he played a pivotal role in persuading Kosovo's Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, to lift the ban—a move vital to unblocking CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement) and advancing the Berlin Process.   Sarrazin also speaks about the security concerns that arose, particularly in light of the recent Banjska incident, and how Germany's offer to provide scanners is part of a broader effort to bolster both trade and border security.   While the situation at the border remains fragile, with ongoing security concerns, Sarrazin emphasizes that the political capital Germany has invested, alongside the EU and the US, is creating momentum for deeper regional cooperation and economic progress.

    19 min
  2. 2024-10-01

    How do cyber-attacks threaten the Balkans? | A Debrief with Dan Ilazi and Filip Stojanovski

    Cyber-attacks are on the rise in the Western Balkans, with 1.2 million personal records exposed to data breaches and a 200% surge in ransomware attacks over the past two years. Businesses across the region have paid millions of euros to recover compromised data, and 75% of companies report facing phishing attacks. Cyber-actors are exploiting internal ethnic tensions to target reconciliation efforts, while disinformation campaigns undermine democracy, destabilize institutions, and disrupt daily life. In this episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council's Europe Center, sits down with Ramadan Ilazi from the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies and Filip Stojanovski, Director of Partnerships at Metamorphosis in North Macedonia. Together, they delve into the cybersecurity vulnerabilities threatening the region's political and economic stability, examining the implications for critical infrastructure, businesses, and citizens. The discussion tackles key questions, including how cyberattacks are being used to advance political agendas, the impact of emerging technologies like AI and the Internet of Things, and the gaps in regional cooperation. They also explore how the Western Balkans can strengthen its integration into the EU's cybersecurity framework, including the role of ENISA in supporting regional efforts. As cyber threats continue to evolve, this conversation highlights the urgent need for a resilient digital future in the Western Balkans, from workforce development to bolstering regional collaboration. Tune in for expert insights on navigating one of the region's most critical challenges.

    23 min

Om

#BalkansDebrief is an online interview series presented by the Atlantic Council's Europe Center and hosted by journalist Ilva Tare. The program offers a fresh look at the Western Balkans and examines the region's people, culture, challenges, and opportunities. Follow along on Twitter @ACEurope with #BalkansDebrief.