Objectives

The objective is to develop a vision for the integration of the countries of Southeastern Europe into the European Union and other international structures highlighting the progress made to date, supported by recommendations for action to the governments of the region and to the international community.

The vision will be the result of

• extensive consultations of the International Commission with regional and international experts and decision-makers;
• analyses of the current economic, social and political situation in the individual countries of the region and in the region as a whole with a focus on positive developments and on the main impediments to further progress;
• assessments of the international engagement in the countries of the region to date and the efficiency and effectiveness of available instruments, testing their adequacy against the local realities.
  

In a unique way, the project will

• combine the experience and political weight of international decision-makers with the best thinking from the region;
• contribute to the development of a cohesive viewpoint among opinion-makers in South-eastern Europe and galvanize concerted political action among decision-makers in the countries of the region;
• contribute to a more coherent policy toward Southeastern Europe by the different actors of the international community;
• involve the main and the most promising experts from the region and from outside the region in a constructive dialogue about the future of the Balkans.

Based on the consultations and analyses, the International Commission has the task to

• define the main political, economic and social challenges in Southeastern Europe;
• formulate a common standpoint on these issues;
• formulate policy recommendations addressed to the countries of the region and to the international community (EU, US, UN, donor community).
  

Through extensive consultations and the dissemination of the results of its work, the Interna-tional Commission will advocate new momentum for the reform processes in the region.