CEDC+ WESTERN BALKANS

CEDC and the Western Balkan countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia

Deepening and broadening cooperation with the partners in the Western Balkans is the CEDCs shared objective. For this purpose, the CEDC is and will remain fully committed to the EU integration of the Western Balkans. One way, to facilitate and support this objective is through increased cooperation among the CEDC countries and their regional partners in the Western Balkans. Therefore, the dialogue at the civilian and military levels is needed and valued. Mutual understanding and appreciation in this sphere are the basis for fruitful cooperation.

Western Balkans Security and Defence College – strengthening the region’s resilience and improving interoperability

The Western Balkans Security and Defence College (WBSDC) project has entered a new phase with the preparation of an updated Non-Paper by the co-sponsoring countries. The revised implementation concept introduces a more flexible approach, enabling educational activities to commence at an earlier stage while maintaining the long-term objective of establishing the College.

Under the updated concept, the first courses are planned to be delivered in a hybrid format following the development of the curriculum by the European Security and Defence College (ESDC). This approach is expected to reduce initial costs, accelerate implementation and provide sufficient flexibility to respond to regional training needs.

The revised implementation concept foresees the launch of the first courses in a hybrid format, enabling educational activities to begin while preparations for the permanent College continue. The long-term objective remains the establishment of a Western Balkans Security and Defence College that will strengthen regional cooperation, resilience and interoperability while supporting the Western Balkans’ gradual integration into European security and defence structures.

According to the updated implementation roadmap, the next steps include the formal handover of the project to the European External Action Service (EEAS), the development of an EU curriculum by the ESDC, the launch of the first courses in a hybrid format and, depending on future demand, the gradual development of dedicated infrastructure for the College.

The WBSDC remains one of the CEDC’s flagship initiatives, supporting the Western Balkans through practical cooperation, professional education and the promotion of a shared European security and defence culture.

Shared strategic defence and security culture – an additional window to pave the way and speed up EU accession

All 27 EU member states must be committed to the Western Balkans. To pave the way and speed up EU accession of the Westen Balkans is the right decision, but it has to be accompanied by comprehensive reforms that help foster the region’s independence. The CEDC and the projects of other formats intend to strengthen the resilience of the Western Balkans and to foster regional cooperation. This will pave the way towards a shared strategic defence and security culture.

Ukraine in the light of the protracted war – implications for the CEDC and the WB

In order to be able to overcome the multiple challenges we currently face, national defence and security institutions need to adapt. External hybrid threats intend to break the solidarity among the EU States as well as the solidarity among our European partners.
To counter these attacks, civil, psychological, economic and ecological national defence strategies play a particularly important role. We cannot allow third parties to influence public sentiment and thereby interfere with our national sovereignty. In this light, it is necessary to remain especially attentive in all spheres of public interest.

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.