A seminar on "The European integration of the Western Balkan countries: the challenges of expansion" was held in Shkodër, Albania from 3-5 July 2023 as part of the EZA special project for workers' organisations in the Western Balkans. The seminar was organised by MCL (Christian Workers Movement) and EFAL (National Board for the Education and Training of Workers), in cooperation with EZA and received funding from the European Union. 39 representatives of workers' organisations from Montenegro, Croatia, Italy, Greece, Serbia and Albania attended the seminar.
EFAL has always been involved in the discussion on the integration of the Balkan states, and the seminar provided another opportunity to explore the accession status of this region of Europe in more depth.
The seminar was split into three sessions, with the local press attending the first presentation. The seminar was opened by the EZA Co-President, Piergiorgo Sciacqua, who also gave the welcoming address. He emphasised the importance of reflecting on and analysing the challenges, particularly regarding the involvement of workers' organisations in the accession process, which represents the European integration of the Western Balkans and notably against the backdrop of the continuing conflict in Ukraine.
Giorgio D'Antoni, EFAL’s legal representative, stressed that society now requires models for regional cooperation that have been proven in the third generation.
Bilbil Kasmi, President of the SAUATT trade union federation (Albania), thanked the friends and colleagues from various countries and the trade union representatives from Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. He stated that European integration requires cooperation between countries to ensure regional stability and lasting peace to overcome the challenges arising in the region and beyond, particularly in the world of work. Mr. Kasmi set out the current situation in Albania regarding the steps for negotiations and the country's accession to the European Union and explained the role of workers' organisations in this respect. The conclusion was that Albania was facing many challenges in terms of its integration into the EU, which may not only be due to the country’s progress in consolidating democracy, the rule of law and a market economy. The prospects of integration are viewed as a process involving various factors, including issues of identity, the economy, security and democratisation at a local, regional and European level. While the reforms implemented in Albania to harmonise its legislation and its legal practices in particular with those of the EU countries are making slow progress, the EU itself remains a dynamic entity that is undergoing rapid development in all aspects. This also impacts Albania's European integration process, which requires a constant review of both the country's legislation and policies to keep up with the progress and pace of the more developed EU countries.
Other speakers included Antonio Di Matteo, General President of the MCL, Maurizio Petrocchi, Professor at the University of Macerata, Leonardo De Marco, Member of the Executive Committee of the Agricultural Federation (Italy), Vanja Gavran, Deputy Secretary General of the International Pan-European Union (Croatia) and Srdja Kekovic, Secretary General of the UFTUM trade union in Montenegro. They reported on the European perspective of the Balkan countries and the challenges for the workers' organisations in these countries in the accession process.
The participation of the Archbishop of Mons was particularly significant. Angelo Massafra, OFM (Order of Friars Minor) of Scutari, talked about "The Church at the frontier of identities and the role of dialogue in strengthening social cohesion".
The Archbishop issued clear messages on the expansion and construction of Europe, the union of peoples, the basis of solidarity, inter-religious dialogue, the importance of trust and the need for distinct identities as the basis of multiculturalism.