This year’s 13th edition of the Dubrovnik Forum, held 31 August-1 September and themed "Strengthening Resilience - the Mediterranean, Europe and the Western Balkans", brought together 250 participants. The Forum focused on the challenges caused by the current crises in the Mediterranean and the way these affect Europe and the Western Balkans. The participants discussed increasing crisis resilience through improved infrastructural connectivity and countering fake news and media manipulation. Across three panels, the participants reviewed the prospects of a more concrete action.
This year’s Dubrovnik Forum was opened by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, with keynote addresses by Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković, Kosovar Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, Macedonian Defence Minister Radmila Shekerinska Jankovska, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica, and EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.
The first panel on "Defining Challenges – Considering Solutions" underlined the importance of applying solutions that proved successful in achieving peace and prosperity in Europe and the Western Balkans. The participants exchanged views on strengthening resilience by enhancing the management system, strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption and organized crime, liberalizing market economy and improving interconnectivity.
“The problem of migrations required a comprehensive approach. European history has shown that the answers to all our key issues were based on compromise, solidarity and a joint approach. The EU has a pivotal role in finding a humane, sustainable, rational and long-term approach to the issue of migrations,” Pejčinović Burić said.
She pointed out the priority of the EU engaging in the stabilization and consolidation of Southeast Europe by assisting in the implementation of the required reforms and approaching the EU. “That can only be achieved through a strong dedication to changes that these countries need to show, and which requires courage and wisdom. The agreement on
The participants exchanged views on the power the EU prospect has on Southeast European countries in truly transforming its societies as well as political and economic systems. The EU’s determination in resolving the current and crucial challenges and threats is also one of the panel’s conclusions.
During the second panel on "Increasing Crisis Resilience through Improved Interconnectivity" the participants spoke about diversification of energy supply routes and strengthening infrastructure connectivity.
The third panel on "Increasing Crisis Resilience by Countering Fake News and Media Manipulation" saw the participants discussing the methods to counter fake news and prevent media manipulation in democracies where the trust of members of the public in institutions is essential, calling for strengthening media literacy and for regulating this area.
Conclusively, this year’s Dubrovnik Forum sent a clear message of commitment to the strengthening of unity between the Mediterranean countries, Europe and the Western Balkans in seeking effective responses to the numerous modern-day challenges and creating policies that contribute to the stability of this geopolitically extremely important part of the world.
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