The group of organizations from the Western Balkans Policy Team that work to create policies to improve the positions of the countries of the region in its external relations, including on China, held a workshop in Skopje to strengthen capacities and review the activities so far.

It was concluded that through engagement in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, all individual characteristics of the Chinese presence are taken into account in the context of alignment with the European Union and membership aspirations, such as increasing the transparency of public procurement and concluded contracts for credit or infrastructure projects, as well as Chinese influence in the media.

At the same time, we continue with activities aimed at creating and promoting policy ideas that will enhance the readiness of the Western Balkans to maximize their own interests and improve the balance in relations with China.

CeMI’s representative, Nemanja Stankov, Head of the Department for Public Policy Research, participated in a regional workshop held in June 2024 in Skopje, North Macedonia. 

The Regional Workshop was held through the project ,,Countering Chinese Influence in Southeast Europe", implemented under the coordination of ESTIMA, in cooperation with CeMI and three other partner organizations in Albania (Albanian Institute for International Studies), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Transparency International), and Serbia (Foundation BFPE for a Responsible Society).