University of Warwick researcher Dr Andi Hoxhaj has been invited to speak at a prestigious Parliamentary seminar on 17 January 2018.

Dr Hoxhaj has been asked to give his expert insight into aspects of the UK’s relationship with the Western Balkans, as the UK prepares to host the annual Western Balkans summit later this year, and considers its future relationship with these countries after Brexit.

Dr Hoxhaj, from the University’s School of Law, was invited to give evidence to the recent House of Lords International Relations Committee inquiry into the Western Balkans. The inquiry explored current issues facing the Balkans, including youth migration, which is causing a ‘brain drain’ in the region, corruption and organised crime - which is also a security concern for the UK - and the potentially destabilising influences of outside powers.

The inquiry report, The UK and the Future of the Western Balkans was published on 10 January 2018 and quotes Dr Hoxhaj’s insights on corruption, good governance, EU Enlargement Policy, migration of young people and the rule of law. He will be addressing these in more detail during the seminar.

Dr Andi Hoxhaj said: “The House of Lords report on the Western Balkans analyses the UK engagement with the Western Balkans to date and sets the stage for the upcoming annual Western Balkans summit that the UK Government will host in July 2018 in London.

“The report also offers recommendations on what future UK policy might be towards the Western Balkans once the UK leaves the European Union in 2019.

“The overall message of the report is that the UK should continue to support countries of the Western Balkans in their democratisation process and the UK should continue its close operational links with the European Union on matters of justice and home affairs in the interests of national security.

“On a personal level, it was fascinating to work with the House of Lords and to see my opinions included in the final report. I am an early career researcher working on these topics for my forthcoming book, The EU Anti-Corruption Report: A reflexive governance approach.

“It was a delight to see my work being included in such an important and prestigious report by the House of Lords International Relations Committee, and to think that my research will help to influence the UK’s foreign policy towards the Western Balkans, my home region.”

16 January 2018

 

CONTACT

Sheila Kiggins

Media Relations Manager, Social Science

S.Kiggins@warwick.ac.uk

02476 150423

07876 218166