PROGRAM

21 November 2019 (afternoon) – Arrival of the Participants

19.30 – Informal Dinner

22 November 2019

09.00 – 09.30 – Registration of the Participants

09.30 – OPENING SESSION:

– Dr. Zdravko Popov – President of the Public Policy Institute

– Dr. Vasko Naumovski – President of the Institute for Social Research

10.00 – FIRST PANEL:  Membership of North Macedonia in NATO/ NATO and the Security of the BALKANS

– Prof. Dr. Vlado Buchkovski, Former Premier Minister (2004-2006) – “NATO and the Security of the Balkans: The Entrance of North Macedonia in NATO”

– Dr. Plamen Ivanov, Public Policy Institute – “NATO and the Balkan Security: North Macedonia in Context”

– Prof. Dr. Darko Lazarov, Goce Delcev University of Stip – “What is NATO’s Real Impact on FDI and Economic Growth?”

– Dr. Ivo Trayanov, Defense and International Security Institute – “Defense Industry and Society”

13.00 – 14. 00 –  LUNCH

14.30 – SECOND PANEL:   European Union – Security Issues and Challenges

– Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zdravko Popov, Public Policy Institute – “Is it Possible Europe to Have its Own Architecture of Security without USA?”

– Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Spasenovski, SS Cyril&Methodius University in Skopje, former Member of the Parliament (2011-2014) – “The Religious Communities as an Element of the Security of the EU Candidate Countries”

– Dimiter Gardev, European International Relations Association – “The Future of the European Defense: Scenarios”

16.00 – 16.30 – Coffee Break

– Prof. Dr. Vasko Naumovski, Institute for Social Research – “Security Challenges in Southeast Europe”

– Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lybov Mincheva, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”/Public Policy Institute – “Transborder Criminal Networks and Illicit Markets: Reasons and Prevention Policies”

– Prof. Dr. Metodij Hadzi Janev, Goce Delcev University of Stip, Military Academy – “Hybrid Threats on Democratic Values and National Security”

19.30 – OFFICIAL DINNER

23 November 2019  

09. 30 – Opening of the Second Day of the Talks

– Bogdan Mirtchev – Head of the Office of Hanns Seidel Stiftung in Bulgaria – “The Initiatives of Hanns Seidel Foundation for the Encouragement of the Bulgarian-Macedonian Dialogue”

10.00 – THIRD PANEL: Migration and the Challenges to Europe

– Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jovan Andonovski, Goce Delchev University of Stip/ Ombudsman of the Republic of North Macedonia – “Migration – Causes and Challenges”

– Jordan Bojilov, Sofia Security Forum – “Migration and the Challenges to Europe”

– Dr. Dimche Petrovski, General Staff of ARM – “The Impact of Migration on Security”

11.30 – 12.00 – Coffee Break

– Prof. Dr. Bogdan Mirtchev, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” – “The Polemics in Germany about Mass Migration and the Problems of Security”

– Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Dashtevski, University of Tourism and Management in Skopje, – “Migrant Crisis in the Republic of North Macedonia 2015-2016”

13.00 – 14.00 – LUNCH

14.30 – FOURTH PANEL:  Security Policies – Regional and Global

– Dr. Valentin Katrandjiev, Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute – “EU-US Relations in the Context of Shifting Geopolitical Realities”

– Prof. Dr. Andrej Lepavcov, Ministry of Foreign Affairs – “Macedonia and Bulgaria – Security through Prism of Infrastructure”

– Assoc. Prof. DPS Kaloyan Simeonov, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” – “Financial Stability as a Condition for Security in the EU and the Region”

16.15 – 16.30 – Coffee Break

– Prof. Dr. Gordan Georgiev, FON University in Skopje, former Member of Parliament (2009-2013) – “The Mini Schengen Initiative as a Security Issue and the Possible Implications on the Region”

– Dr. Simeon Vassilev, Public Policy Institute – Security in Local and Global Environment (Media Manipulation)

18.00 – Conclusions and Closing Remarks

19. 30 – Informal Dinner

24 November 2019

Breakfast and Departure of the Participants

Optional – Excursion to Vodocha/Veljusa Monastery and/or Koleshino Waterfalls