This year's European Summer Academy from 23.08.2025 to 01.09.2025 was characterized by an intensive and enriching exchange of opinions and perspectives between 28 master students and young professionals from the South-East Europe and the Western Balkans countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia). They came to the Europäische Akademie Otzenhausen (EAO) to share their ideas about Europe, learn more about the EU and NATO, and discuss their common goals for the future of their home regions.
The seminar Encounter Europe focused mainly on the current political, security, energy and economic issues in the participants’ countries. They exchanged perspectives on the role of their countries in today’s world order and worked together to find constructive solutions for future development. Furthermore, they gained insight into the Saarland's extensive experience of Franco-German cross-border cooperation and its approach to regional integration.
The first few days were dedicated to getting to know each other, exploring the EU’s institutional framework and finding out about the participants’ perspectives on their home countries in various contexts. Afterwards, participants also engaged with the history and present of the Franco-German relationship.
The following days were marked by several excursions. In Brussels, the group visited the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s European Office, the NATO headquarters, and the Representation of the Free State of Saxony to the EU. In addition, they also received insights from the daily work of the European External Actions Service. These meetings gave them direct knowledge of the EU’s external action, security policies, and the interplay between national and European levels of governance. Another excursion led to Luxembourg and Schengen, where participants explored the symbolic birthplace of the Schengen Agreement, visited the European Parliament, and took part in a simulation, followed by a city rally.
In Otzenhausen, the participants visited remaining of a Celtic oppidum. After this hike, lectures and workshops followed, addressing the NATO and US security policy, energy security and natural resources, as well as the importance of democratic and political engagement in the Western Balkans. On the last day, the participants also visited the Remembrance Path “Höckerlinie” in Otzenhausen, reflecting on lessons from history before turning towards the future in group work sessions.
Ultimately, the experience equipped its participants with valuable knowledge about European politics and integration, as well as new friendships and a strong network across the Western Balkans.

Author: František Strnadel