Friends of Europe’s 10th annual European Policy Summit on the Balkans welcomed high-level decision-makers, including Prime Ministers and other high-level officials, policy experts and business leaders from Southeast Europe and the European Union, to discuss critical issues in the areas of EU accession negotiations, continuing political and judicial reforms and the economic realities facing the region. It was co-organised by Friends of Europe, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, the Constantinos Karamanlis Institute and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Investment Compact for South East Europe.  The one-day summit took place on 8 December, 2009 and began with plenary sessions discussing the steps needed to overcome political hurdles to EU membership and continue reform in the Balkans, how the national governments are cooperating to take ownership of the stabilisation process and how they may more strongly encourage involvement and decision-making on the local level. The morning sessions were followed by an economic roundtable in the afternoon that explored what the future will hold for Balkan economies as they face the effects of the crisis, tackle the shadow economy and explore avenues to cooperation on infrastructure development.  More detailed information of the topics under discussion can be found on the programme page. In his opening remarks Eduard Kukan MEP, Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, invited the audience to imagine a bright future for the Balkans. “Let me paint you a picture of a possible 2020; let’s dream a little bit. The feud between Greece and Macedonia over the name issue has been resolved. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s government is functioning well. Bilateral relations between Serbia and Kosovo are stable and constructive. The countries in the region are either celebrating their accession or, at least, know the date of the big day for them. I think that we really can make this decade the decade of Balkans, if each and every country in the region and the European Union enthusiastically contribute to it. This is not utopia but a courageous dream.” To view the conference pack, please click here. Watch video highlights.