FUSION

Newsletter of the TRANSFUSE Association

Welcome to the first issue of FUSION!

TRANSFUSE has grown very quickly since its birth in 1999 and not every member can always make it to conferences.  Yet nobody wants to lose contact with the rest of the network. This newsletter, FUSION, aims to help members keep in touch with the Association’s plans and projects, as well as updating one another about our non-TRANSFUSE activities in the region.

Those who could not attend the Ohrid conference in July 2005 missed out on some fascinating debates though (as well as the opportunity to enjoy Zoran Jachev’s inspired cultural programme of Balkan movies and to hit the dance floor as Dimo Bechev performed a rather impressive Elvis impersonation). Former Italian prime minister Giuliano Amato injected some fresh and constructive ideas as he presented the conclusions of the International Commission on the Balkans. But crisis was in the air following the French ‘NON’ and much of the discussion centred on whether this signaled the end for EU enlargement and the return of instability in South-eastern Europe. 

Ivan Krastev gave us all a fright by suggesting that the current constitutional crisis in the EU resembled the situation in Yugoslavia in the mid-1980s. David Gardner from the Financial Times was more upbeat, arguing that the crisis would pass and that SEE should take the initiative by making new proposals for interim steps on the path to membership.

Months later, several countries in the region have seen concrete progress on the road to accession, although the path is by no means smooth. Be sure to read the FUSION interview with Ardian Gjini (page 2) on the future of Kosovo and don’t miss his comments on how Transfuse changed his outlook. Rana Birden (page 5) gives us the view from Istanbul on the historic decision to start EU accession negotiations with Turkey. Moving away from the business of EU enlargement, Octavian Sofransky (page 8) looks at the challenges for protecting cultural heritage in the region.

As far as the future of Transfuse is concerned, Luke Zahner (page 6) reminds us of the importance of maintaining the Trans-Atlantic link, while Matteo Fumerio introduces the new Leadership Development Programme (page 7). FUSION also introduces some new members and tells us who has moved jobs recently.

We hope you enjoy reading FUSION and will send us your feedback and input so that we can improve the next issue.

All the best,

Liz Barrett
Editor