International Conference “Balkan Dialogue – 2019”

Abstract

This article describes the international Balkan Dialogue – 2019 conference held in Sofia (Bulgaria) from April 15 to 20, 2019. An event organized by the the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, it continued the series of thematic conferences previously held in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The conference consisted of several round tables and discussions dedicated to the role of Russian media in public opinion formation in the Balkans; Russia’s image in Bulgarian media; issues of regional security; and economic and energy cooperation between Russia and the Balkans. The key speakers at the conference were representatives from the academic and business communities, the media and public figures from Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia and Turkey. At the end of the event its participants (all under the age of 35) – researchers, journalists, leaders of youth associations and representatives from government agencies – presented group projects analyzing the political, economic and humanitarian presence of Russia, the USA, China and the European Union in the Balkans.