East & Southeast Europe

Externalisation is increasingly seen as a lever for solving the EU’s migration issues, yet poses serious legal, ethical and practical problems. 

The lithium deal brings a new quality to Serbia’s foreign policy zigzagging. At one stroke, Serbia became a strategic partner and the guarantor for the future of the European Green Deal.

Ajna Jusić’s mother survived conflict-related sexual violence during the 1992–95 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ajna is one of many children born as a result of such war crimes. Her organisation aims to improve the lives and legal situations of the victims and their children.

The Rio Tinto controversy in Serbia revolves around the planned Jadar lithium mine. Despite economic benefits, strong opposition arises due to environmental concerns such as water shortages and pollution. Local protesters demand more environmental protection.

Serbia's lithium mining project in Jadar has been on hold because of mass protests against feared environmental damage. Now the EU wants to secure this lithium access for Europe - despite the political and legal conditions in Serbia.

In addition to the official part of the conference and discussions on topics related to the 1990s, participants of the 12th European History Forum had the opportunity to experience the past firsthand. Or at least what remains of it through several tours of Berlin.

The 12th Forum focused on the methodological and conceptual challenges of contemporary history, with particular emphasis on the transformative 1990s. How can historians study and contextualize the 1990s?

As the host country of the COP29 climate conference, authoritarian Azerbaijan wants to improve its international reputation. How should democratic states and international civil society approach the next COP?

Corrupt politicians have been systematically plundering public budgets and natural resources in the Western Balkans for years. Increasingly, international actors are also discovering an El Dorado for dubious investments in these countries.

Over 50,000 Armenians have already fled Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia following Azerbaijan's recent military offensive. Despite ongoing negotiations, further escalations could follow. What options do Germany and the EU have?