On 18 September 2025, the College of Europe in Tirana organized a guest lecture for its students, welcoming Dr. Fatmir Besimi as the main speaker. Given the focus of the study programme, the lecture addressed the challenges of EU accession of North Macedonia, while also opening the floor to wider reflections on EU enlargement and integration.

Dr. Besimi shared his first-hand experience from government and academia, offering valuable insights into the reforms required, the role of institutions, and the opportunities arising from the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

The lecture was followed by a dynamic conversation moderated by Prof. Odeta Barbullushi, including a Q&A session where students engaged directly with the speaker. This exchange provided a unique opportunity to connect theory with practice and to better understand the complexities of EU accession.