An event organised by the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Policy Centre discussed the potential of online platforms in assisting the Balkan countries and Turkey in fulfilling the conditions for accession to the EU. The debate focused on how digital solutions can contribute to the political, economic and administrative objectives of the EU aspirants within the framework of the ‘fundamentals first’ approach of the enlargement process. More specifically, it explored how e-tools can enable governments in those countries to deliver better public services to citizens and businesses, enhance transparency while also supporting economic reforms and development. The discussion drew upon the experience of member states with e- and open-government practices in order to assess the ongoing efforts and future options of the Balkan countries and Turkey. The goal was not only to highlight the apparent gains and risks linked to e-government, but also to advance policy recommendations so that the countries in question can reap the benefits of digital technologies in helping them fulfil the membership conditionality.

Speakers included: Corina Stratulat, Senior Policy Analyst at the European Policy Centre, Hon. Ian Borg, Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds and 2017 Presidency, Malta, Emanuel Darmanin, Head of Strategy and Business at the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA), Andrea Halmos, Policy Officer for eGovernment and Trust at the Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG Connect), European Commission, Jean Jacques Leandri, an e-Government expert within the Secretariat-General for Government Modernisation, Prime Minister’s office, France, Marzena Kisielewska, Head of South East Europe Division at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD), Goran Pastrovic, Programme Manager at the Regional School of Public Administration (RSPA)