Lords committee takes evidence on relationship between the EU and Western Balkans
Friday 1 December 2023
On Wednesday 6 December 2023 at 10.35am, the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee will take evidence from The Rt Hon The Baroness Ashton of Upholland LG GCMG, former European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The session will be available to watch live or on demand at Parliament TV, or attend in person in Committee Room 4A, Palace of Westminster.
Questions will include:
- In what specific areas has the prospect of EU membership been a positive tool for driving reform in the Western Balkans? Where has it been less successful? What, in your view, are the reasons for this?
- What is your assessment of the speed of the EU accession process generally, and Bosnia and Herzegovina in particular? How do you expect the European Parliament elections next year to impact this process?
- Based on your experience of conducting negotiations with the countries of the region, what recommendations would you make to the EU and the UK to ensure stability and security, and maintain the push for reform? What opportunities are there for UK-EU collaboration?
- The Committee’s 2018 report on the Western Balkans stressed that the UK should continue to support the accession ambitions of the Western Balkan countries. In your view, has the UK been successful in providing this support?
- Bosnia and Herzegovina has seen a rise in secessionism promoted by Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik. Should the EU follow the US and UK example and sanction Dodik? If not, why not?
