AII Round Table - “The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum: Dialogue with the Western Balkans on Implementation and Regional Implications”
Skopje, 18 November 2025
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Republic of North Macedonia
The Adriatic–Ionian Initiative (AII), under the Chairmanship of North Macedonia, held a high-level Round Table in Skopje on 18 November 2025 dedicated to the implications of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum for the Western Balkans. The event gathered representatives of EU institutions, Frontex, IOM, MARRI, civil society organisations, academia, and public authorities from AII participating countries. The discussion provided a timely opportunity to examine the implementation of the Pact, explore its regional impact, and identify avenues for strengthened cooperation between the European Union and Western Balkan partners.
Opening Session
The Round Table was opened by Tina Djepovska, Regional Initiatives Coordinator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, who welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of structured dialogue at a moment when the EU is preparing for the implementation phase of the Pact in 2026. She stressed that the Western Balkans stand at the centre of Europe’s migration governance, making their involvement essential for the success of the new framework.
Ambassador Andrej Lepavcov, Director for EU and National Coordinator for AII & EUSAIR, emphasised that macro-regional initiatives such as the AII offer a unique platform for policy coordination, knowledge exchange, and trust-building. He underlined the strategic relevance of migration for the Chairmanship of North Macedonia, particularly in relation to security, border management, digital transformation, youth and demographic trends, and labour mobility. The Pact’s balance between irregular migration management and the expansion of safe and legal pathways reflects key regional priorities.
Representing the AII Permanent Secretariat, Filippo Alabardi highlighted the role of the Initiative in supporting regional integration, fostering dialogue, and accompanying Western Balkan partners on their EU path. He recalled that the AII and EUSAIR provide frameworks where EU Member States and candidate countries cooperate on equal footing, sharing methodologies and working practices relevant to accession negotiations. He welcomed the strong participation at the event, noting that migration and asylum are among the most pressing issues for Europe and the Western Balkans today.
Panel Discussion and Q&A
The panel brought together institutional representatives and experts to assess progress, challenges, and opportunities linked to the new Pact. Angela Boranieva, Director of the MARRI Regional Centre, underlined that the Western Balkans have made significant progress in aligning with the EU acquis over the past decade. She presented MARRI’s mandate to promote a coordinated regional approach in migration, asylum, border management, trafficking, visa policy, and readmission. MARRI is developing a new three-year strategy to support the region’s adaptation to the Pact, including the creation of a coordination platform to ensure harmonised implementation. She stressed that well-managed mobility in the Western Balkans contributes directly to stability and development.
Speaking online, Giulia Amaducci (European Commission, DG HOME) emphasised the need for full alignment of Western Balkan partners with the EU’s visa policy, identifying it as a priority area. She highlighted the importance of addressing trafficking and migrant smuggling as part of a comprehensive approach. The Pact introduces new tools and procedures related to screening, border management, asylum, and return, and the Commission expects close cooperation with Western Balkan partners in preparations for its implementation.
Vladimir Petronijević, former Executive Director of Grupa 484, noted that the Pact has profound implications for the Western Balkans, especially regarding cross-border cooperation and the EU integration process. He observed that the flexible solidarity mechanism currently excludes Western Balkan countries, but argued that many challenges could be addressed through the region’s progressive integration and alignment with EU standards.
Denis Knauer (Frontex) presented the Agency’s growing cooperation with Western Balkan partners, calling it “more advanced than with any other third countries.” He outlined Frontex’s work on screening protocols, border checks, operational models, security procedures, and the use of technological tools. He noted that Frontex currently deploys liaison officers in the region and conducts joint operations, surveillance activities, training programmes, and technical assistance projects, often in cooperation with IOM.
From a civil society perspective, Teodora Kjoseva Kostadinovska (MYLA) highlighted the need to further strengthen legal assistance, especially for vulnerable groups such as unaccompanied minors. She noted improvements in national asylum procedures but pointed to persisting challenges including access to health insurance, the need for contingency planning, and better data management systems. She stressed the importance of capacity-building and legal training for officials and emphasised that regional cooperation can support national reforms.
Professor Stojanovski (Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime) underlined the unique role of MARRI as a regional mechanism capable of facilitating the adaptation of the new EU framework in the Western Balkans. He reiterated that the Pact is particularly relevant for the region given its EU integration objectives.
An IOM representative took part in the discussion and Q&A, addressing questions related to operational cooperation, support to national authorities, and capacity-building for screening, reception, and return procedures.
During the open discussion, participants reflected on several operational priorities: the need for practical harmonisation of procedures and standards across the Western Balkans; alignment with the EU visa regime; enhanced cooperation on legal labour migration; coordinated regional responses to trafficking and smuggling; and the strengthening of reception capacities, screening facilities, and contingency planning. The importance of continuing structured dialogue and joint situational assessments was repeatedly emphasised.
Conclusions
The concluding session summarised the main messages of the Round Table. Participants agreed that the New Pact represents a major step forward, but its implementation will require sustained national efforts and reinforced cooperation with Western Balkan partners. Alignment and interoperability—from border screening to asylum processing and return—will be essential for the effectiveness of the new system. The Western Balkans are indispensable partners in shaping a stable, predictable, and humane migration governance framework.
Regional cooperation and capacity-building remain key pillars, supported by EU agencies such as Frontex and by regional initiatives including AII, EUSAIR, and MARRI. Speakers stressed that migration governance must remain centred on fundamental rights, protection needs, and fair procedures.
The Adriatic–Ionian Initiative reaffirmed its commitment to supporting this dialogue and facilitating cooperation among participating countries as implementation of the Pact advances. The event concluded with a shared understanding that the success of the Pact will depend on collective action, coordinated planning, and the continued strengthening of regional partnerships.
Under the framework of the Adriatic–Ionian Initiative (AII) Chairmanship of North Macedonia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Republic of North Macedonia in cooperation with the AII Permanent Secretariat will organise a Round Table entitled:
“The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum: Dialogue with the Western Balkans on Implementation and Regional Implications”
The event will bring together representatives of the European Commission, EU Agencies, national administrations, and regional organisations to discuss the forthcoming implementation of the EU Pact and its expected impact on migration governance and cooperation in the Western Balkans.
Discussions will focus on the main provisions of the Pact, its implications for national asylum systems, and the opportunities it offers for enhanced regional dialogue, legal migration pathways, and coordinated border management.
This initiative also reflects the Chairmanship’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and policy convergence with the European Union on key strategic challenges.
Further details, including the agenda and list of speakers, will be shared soon.
🗓️ Date: 18 November 2025
📍 Venue: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje
