The objective of the conference was to alert the Washington policy community and business representatives to specific opportunities and obstacles in the wider Balkan region in its drive toward economic development, the rule of law, foreign investment, regional security, and international institutional integration. With the administration of President Barack Obama in place and key appointments being finalized in the security, foreign policy, and commercial arenas, CSIS intends to offer a more compelling vision for completing the U.S.-Allied mission in the Western Balkans. We hope to issue some practical policy recommendations for American policymakers to help develop and integrate the entire region.
8.30-9.00am: Registration and Breakfast
Introductions & Panel 1
9.00-9.30am: Introductions
Janusz Bugajski, CSIS
Behgjet Pacolli, CSIS International Councillor
9.30-11.30am, Panel 1: Mission Incomplete
Ambassador Aleksander Sallabanda, Embassy of Albania
Ambassador Mitar Kujundzic, Embassy of Bosnia-Hercegovina
Ambassador Avni Spahiu, Embassy of Kosovo
Ambassador Zoran Jolevski, Embassy of Macedonia
Ambassador Miodrag Vlahovic, Embassy of Montenegro
Representative, Embassy of Serbia (invited)
Ambassador Alexandros Mallias, Embassy of Greece (remarks)
Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Embassy of Croatia
Audio for Lunchtime Discussion
12.00-1.00pm: Lunchtime Discussion
James O'Brien, The Albright Group
Panel 2 & Conclusion
1.15-3.15pm, Panel 2: A Successful Balkan Agenda
James Dobbins, RAND Corporation,
Former Assistant Secretary for Europe and Special Envoy to Kosovo
Donald Hays, Business Executives for National Security, Former Principal Deputy High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Daniel Serwer, Vice President, Peace and Stability Operations, US Institute of Peace
William Walker, Former Head of Kosovo Verification Mission
Ibrahim Gashi, Deputy of the Presidential Assembly, Kosovo
3.15pm: Concluding Comments
Janusz Bugajski, CSIS