II. International Liberal Conference was held from 11.-13. May 2011 with Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) as local organizer and host. Dutch liberal party VVD and Friedrich Naumann Stiftung were partners. Many high party officials and experts participated in conference and discussed regionalism as a model of development for SEE countries and within European Union. Goal of conference was to conceptualize SEE's integration process from the 1990s till the present and to give a prognosis of the future development of Southeast European regionalism. Also, goal was to examine how the EU is affected by these processes, especially in the areas of politics, economics and security.

Conference was successful, with participants concluding that regional approach is the best model of development. From the example of EU member states, we heard that those regions with a high degree of independence easily overcome crises. Regional cooperation can only help countries that are not members of a better and better preparation for entry into the European Union.

LIBSEEN Resolution, draft: Download here

Osijek Declaratian: Download here

The 2010 LIBSEEN Liberal Leaders conference was a progressive meeting, held to unify the Liberal movement across Eastern Europe. There were several common themes that emerged throughout the conference, with the representatives discussing many issues including the need for strengthening the European Liberal support system and the redefining of political action through Liberal ideals.

We have the pleasure of inviting you to a programme of activities (4-6 November) in The Netherlands, centered around the conference Discussing Liberal Values: The Relationship between Liberalism and Religion which will take place in Amsterdam November 5th.

We invite you to nominate conference-participants from your party. As the conference is dedicated to a philosophical topic and we hope to discuss the theme in depth, we request you to nominate a party member with specialist knowledge, interest or experiences regarding the relationship between liberalism and religion. Excellent command of English is expected for participation.

Please find attached the program of the event. Register your designated party delegate as early as possible (with reference to visa applications) and no later than 27 September via this link. Kindly contact project assistant Guido van Gorp if you have questions or if you require additional information ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / +31 70 356 60 66).

Parties that can apply:

Bosnia-Herzegovina: LDS

- Croatia: HSLS, IDS-DDI, HNS

- Kosovo: PLK, AKR

- Macedonia: LDP, LP

- Montenegro: LPCG

- Netherlands, the: D66, Jonge Democraten

- Serbia: LDP

- Turkey: ARI Movement, Association for Liberal Thinking

MORE DETAILS: HERE

With the support of the Dutch People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), LIBSEEN has held the fact finding mission to Albania and Montenegro earlier this month. The aim of the mission was to collect facts about the political, economic and social situation in these countries, as well as create new contacts and find liberal partners for future cooperation. This was achieved through a series of meetings with political parties, international organizations and NGOs. In this way, participants of the mission received information on current issues from several different sources and could ultimately create their own picture on the state of liberalism in these countries.

The results are not surprising - conclusion is that democracy is still in its infancy, some big parties still have their roots in the communist system and most parties are motivated by their own interests, rather than ideology and beliefs. It will take some time for them to transform into a modern European political parties. However, the conclusion is also that the both countries have progressed a lot in recent years and are ready to begin negotiations for accession to the European Union.

It is a pleasure to invite you the the LIBSEEN liberal leaders meeting in Osijek, Croatia 1-3 October 2010. The event aims to bring the highly positioned party officials to discuss the current political situation in our region and what we as liberals can do to make a positive change for our region.

Participants profile: Highly positioned party official (President or deputy, MP or MEP, ministers)

Number of participants per organisation: Only member organisation - 1

Travel refunds: Only member organisation - 80% - 100% depending on budget expenditure (plane tickets for participants from Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Romania)

Accommodation: Only member organisation - Fully covered in four star hotel Hotel Osijek, 2 nights

Deadline for applications: 12. September 2010 - APPLY HERE!

Program : Download here

Technical reader: Coming soon!

ZAGREB, Croatia -- Participants in the fifth Croatia Summit voiced support Saturday (July 10th) for efforts by countries in the Western Balkans to join the EU and NATO. On day two of the conference, held in Dubrovnik, they asked Brussels to confirm the region's progress towards EU membership. Participants also discussed global challenges confronting Southeast Europe during this time of economic crisis. Attending the summit were the prime ministers of Croatia, Kosovo, France, Poland, Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Albania as well as foreign ministers of countries in the region. Serbia boycotted the meeting because Kosovo sent representatives. (Danas, FoNet, DPA - 10/07/10)

ZAGREB, Croatia -- Bosnian Foreign Minister Sven Alkalaj said on Saturday (July 10th) that Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) will delay its EU membership application until it receives more positive signals from Brussels. Speaking on the sidelines of the Croatia Summit, he told Reuters that EU membership remains BiH's strategic goal, but noted that "the European Commission is very reluctant to accept the application ... as long as the OHR [Office of the High Representative] is present." Alkalaj added that the general elections in October amount to another delaying factor. (Reuters, RTRS, Srna - 10/07/10)

ZAGREB, Croatia “ The Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) decided on Saturday (July 10th) to leave the ruling coalition led by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). After a party meeting, HSLS leader Darinko Kosor told journalists it was because his party was unhappy with the government's work. He dismissed media allegations that the HSLS will now join the opposition coalition led by the Social Democratic Party. Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said her government has enough support in parliament even without the two HSLS lawmakers, and said there will be no early elections. (HRT, Radio.net, Nova TV, HINA, Vecernji list - 10/07/10)