The Social Sciences Research Center (SSRC) had the honor of participating in the 62nd International Academic Week, held from September 30 to October 4, 2024, at the renowned Akademie für Politische Bildung in Tutzing, Germany. Organized by the Southeast Europe Association (Südosteuropa-Gesellschaft), this annual conference gathers leading experts, academics, and policymakers from across Europe to address pressing issues affecting Southeast Europe, particularly the role of small states in the complex international political landscape.
Amer Kurtović, Deputy Director of SSRC, presented research titled Exploring Structure and Agency in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Alignment with the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). His presentation was part of a panel discussion on the challenges and strategies small states face while aligning with larger political entities like the European Union. Kurtović’s research provided an in-depth analysis of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress in harmonizing its foreign policy with the EU acquis, emphasizing the country’s strategic approach to international cooperation and security.
The presentation highlighted Bosnia and Herzegovina’s foreign policy objectives, challenges in aligning with the CFSP, and its efforts toward greater integration within European frameworks. Kurtović’s insights were particularly relevant in light of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s ongoing EU accession process, a topic of considerable interest among Southeast European states.
The conference’s central theme, Smallness in International Politics: The Agency of Small States in Southeast Europe, provided a platform for discussing how small states like Bosnia and Herzegovina navigate international relations, maintain sovereignty, and influence larger political frameworks. Kurtović’s contribution to the panel underscored the importance of understanding foreign policy alignment within the broader context of European integration.
The event gathered not only academic scholars but also political practitioners, fostering dialogue on the role of small states in shaping their political futures amidst regional and global challenges.