Tod’Aérs Chairperson of the Governing Board H.E. Prof. Igor Lukšić Delivers Lecture on Western Balkans Economic Readiness for EU Accession

Tod’Aérs Chairperson of the Governing Board His Excellency Professor Igor Lukšić delivered a lecture at the MCC-MKI Center for Geopolitics in Budapest on the economic situation of the Western Balkans and the region’s readiness for accession to the European Union.

The lecture provided a strategic overview of the Western Balkans’ European integration process, beginning with the importance of the 2003 Thessaloniki Summit, where the European Union reaffirmed the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries. H.E. Prof. Lukšić also highlighted the role of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement as a key legally binding step in the accession process.

During his intervention, H.E. Prof. Lukšić outlined three essential dimensions of EU accession aligned with the Copenhagen criteria: economic conditions, political criteria, and the adoption and implementation of the EU acquis. He emphasized that these dimensions remain central benchmarks for assessing candidate countries.

The discussion also addressed the evolution of the European Union’s enlargement policy over the past decade. H.E. Prof. Lukšić noted that accession conditions have become more demanding since Croatia’s accession in 2013, while recent geopolitical developments, including the war between Russia and Ukraine, have reshaped the strategic relevance of enlargement.

Focusing on the economic readiness of the Western Balkans, H.E. Prof. Lukšić presented both progress and structural challenges. He noted that aggregate public debt in the region remains below the EU average, while also pointing to persistent weaknesses such as reliance on public investment, fragmented infrastructure, limited financial instruments, and underdeveloped capital markets.

As Chairperson of the Governing Board of Tod’Aérs Global Network [TGN], H.E. Prof. Igor Lukšić brings extensive experience in governance, finance, European integration, and international affairs. His lecture reflects TGN’s commitment to supporting high-level dialogue on economic transformation, regional cooperation, institutional development, and global policy challenges.

Through this engagement in Budapest, Tod’Aérs Global Network [TGN] reaffirmed its dedication to promoting strategic reflection, international cooperation, and informed policy dialogue on the future of regional development and European integration.