
The third KAS-IFAT Western Balkans Conference entitled ‘Integration Through Business’ took place in Budapest on 28 February 2019. The one-day conference consisted of two closed panels focusing on the current social-economic development of the Western Balkans and on a series of questions on how the European Union, Germany and Hungary could contribute more efficiently to their economic development. The event brought together decision-makers, experts and representatives of the business community. Most of the participants shared the view that a faster and stronger development of the region is needed in order to avoid backsliding of the Balkan Countries, illegal migration and security threats. The second panel was opened by Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary who reiterated the strong support of the Hungarian Government to the EU policy of enlargement, considering it as an instrument capable to address a series of challenges EU is facing nowadays.