The overall aim of this Insight is to encourage further discussions on what lies ahead for the Balkans in the post-Brexit Europe

All across the EU, it has become quite common to label the modus operandi of the EU as ineffective, its institutional set-up as undemocratic and its politics as far removed from European citizens. 

While Bulgaria has recognised providing a clear European perspective for the WB countries as its first priority, Estonia has rather kept its centre of interest and activities on the Digital Single Market, while omitting enlargement from its top priorities; as for Austria, it is expected that it will direct its attention mostly on the issues of immigration and security, while simultaneously aiding the EU perspective of the region.

Juncker’s speech represents the first occasion when an EU representative mentioned even a possible date for EU’s future enlargement.

A touch of optimism has returned to Brussels.

From July 1, 2017, to January 1, 2018, Estonia will hold the Presidency of Council of the EU.

On 17 January 2017 Antonio Tajani became President of the European Parliament (EP), succeeding Martin Schultz in this position. He underwent four rounds of voting – a practice rather unseen in the EP, which indicates how firm different political groups were in supporting their candidates. 

2016 will be remembered as a year that brought unexpected political outcomes and outrages in the Western hemisphere. Nevertheless, 2017 is promising to be more intense than the previous year.

Despite a considerably assertive and costly media campaign, the Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban did not manage to convince the majority of Hungary’s citizens that the issue of migrants/refugees is the most critical “for their own future and the future of Europe”.

From 1 July to 31 December 2016, Slovakia holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union.