On the 4th-5th June 2008, beginning at 9am, the second Western Balkans Civil Society Forum will take place organised by the  EESC and Western Balkans civil society acting to promote dialogue and consultation. The forum will take place in Gospodarsko Razstavišče, Dunajska cesta 18, 1000 Ljubljana.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will organise the second Western Balkans Civil Society Forum in Ljubljana (Slovenia) on the 4th and 5th of June 2008. The EESC wants to reaffirm the European future of the Western Balkans countries and of their population. This event has also two practical objectives. One is to examinepossibilities for involving civil society organisations of the region in the monitoring of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and of the Treaty establishing the Energy Community. The other one is to promote the establishment of institutions for civil dialogue in the countries of the region.

The EESC, representing the economic and social components of organised civil society in the European Union (EU), will organise this event with the support of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council and the European Commission. It will bring together around 150 participants, including representatives of Western Balkans civil society organisations, the EESC, European and international socio-professional organisations, European NGOs, Economic and Social Councils of the Member States and the Western Balkans, EU institutions and international organisations.

The second Western Balkans Civil Society Forum will be part of a broader effort to take forward the EU Stabilisation and Association Process in the region and to develop civil society dialogue.

A final declaration with recommendations from civil society organizations to the political authorities of all parties will be issued at the end of the event. A press conference will be organized after the inaugural session on Wednesday 4th June at 10.30 a.m.