Budapest Balkans Forum 2024: Western Balkans integration discussed in Budapest

Next week, the Budapest Balkans Forum (BFF), an international conference, will take place in Budapest, focusing on economic matters alongside European Union (EU) enlargement. The Hungarian Institute of Foreign Affairs is at the helm of organising this event.

Now in its eighth year, the Balkans Forum is scheduled for the 12th and 13th of March, positioning itself as the paramount “Balkan” event in Europe, held annually without fail.

In the run-up to the conference, the organisers visited the Balkan countries to raise awareness about the March conference, amass insights and engage with local experts to foster collaboration.

First day – Budapest Balkans Forum 2024

On the 12th of March, the first day of the event, prominent figures such as Oliver Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, János Bóka, Minister for European Union Affairs of Hungary and Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Minister of Defence of Hungary, will grace the open session. Additionally, a round table featuring Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Alparslan Bayraktar (TBC), Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye, Dubravka Đedović, Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia, Igli Hasani, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania and Denisa Saková, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic, is on the agenda.

The afternoon will see the event transitioning into closed presentations.

Second day – Budapest Balkans Forum 2024

The following day, Zsolt Németh, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Major General Gábor Böröndi, Chief of the General Staff of the Hungarian Defence Forces, will deliver keynote addresses. Moreover, a round table session focusing on ‘Hot Spots’ in the Western Balkans will enrich the day’s proceedings.

Venue

Corinthia Hotel Budapest
43-49 Erzsébet Boulevard, Budapest

Details and registration HERE.

Read also:

• FM Szijjártó outraged: ‘Stop threatening, blackmailing Western Balkans’
• PM Orbán travels to Florida to meet Trump, Chinese President Xi may visit Budapest – UPDATED