Talking about his view of the future of Croatia in the EU, Ivan Jakovčić, President of IDS, pointed out that in this part of South East Europe, Croatia could be seen as a good example of the European integration process as well as of successful politics in terms of bringing this part of Europe together again.

"IDS is the most important regional party in Croatia, and thanks to our politics, Istria has become the regional symbol for this part of Europe", said Jakovčić. Adding that, in his view, EU accession from the liberal perspective is to note borders between member states, but to objectively erase them. 

Panel discussions took place on the topics: ''Enlargement in South-East Europe'' and ''Liberal Approach to the EU Perspective''. Panelists included Istvan Serto Radics, ALDE Ambassador, Eastern Partnership Countries, member of the Council of Regions and mayor of the Hungarian town of Uszk; Nenad Čanak, President of Social Democrat League of Vojvodina and President of the National Council for Decentralization of the Republic of Serbia, Marc Guerrero, ELDR Party Vice President; Radimir Čaćić, President of a Croatian Liberal Democrats - HNS, Lamija Tanović, President of the Liberal Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Jelko Kalcin MEP noted that EU accession is not only the most realistic political option for all South East European countries, but also key evidence of a mature democracy and long-term effort to finally include this politically unstable area into the European political circle. He mentioned three important factors for the politics of the countries of ex-Yugoslavia: the fight against nationalism and political and economic populism, opening and liberalization of the economy with the aim of improving the standard of living, and decentralization and autonomy. Nationalism has remained the principle political obstacle to European integration and the extension of the Schengen area and the eurozone are the next steps to be taken towards achieving a complete political and economic integration of the European nations, said Kacin.

The conference also saw a cooperation agreement signed between IDS and Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya.