​European Negotiation Conference to Be Held in Belgrade in 2027

Belgrade will host the European Negotiation Conference next year, to be held alongside the EXPO 2027 Belgrade Specialized Exhibition, announced Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS). 

At the closing ceremony of the two-day negotiation conference in Paris, Čadež symbolically received the baton from Francesco Marchi, President of the European Negotiation Association (ENEA), officially marking the handover of the next edition of the conference to Belgrade.

"We are truly proud that Belgrade will host such an important international conference during EXPO. This is the annual conference of the European Negotiation Association, bringing together both those who teach negotiation—professors, researchers, and leading scholars—as well as practitioners involved in high-level negotiations between governments and companies," Čadež said.

He emphasized that this is the world's largest event dedicated to negotiation, both in theory and in practice.

"What makes it particularly significant is that, for the first time, the conference is leaving Paris, where it has traditionally been held every year, and coming to Belgrade. We are extremely proud of that," he added.

Addressing participants at the ceremony, Čadež noted that in Belgrade—and throughout the wider region—negotiation is a way of thinking because this is a place where negotiation is not merely a theoretical concept, but a way of shaping the future.

"This region, and Belgrade in particular, has always been a city on the frontier. For centuries, it negotiated between East and West—between the Roman and Byzantine Empires, and later between the Ottoman and Habsburg Empires," said the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.

He stressed that it is especially meaningful for the European Negotiation Conference to take place in Belgrade, as the city will also host EXPO 2027. The story of Belgrade's EXPO began in Paris. Competing against five candidates from four continents, Serbia secured the right to host the exhibition. That, too, was a story of negotiation—of persistence, hard work, and the ability to unite partners around a common vision.

"That is precisely why the connection between EXPO 2027 and the European Negotiation Conference is so natural and powerful. It brings together theory and practice, international experience and tangible results, while also telling the story of a region that knows how to engage in dialogue, build connections, and reach agreements—a region I am confident conference participants will find truly inspiring," Čadež said.

Ana Hrustanović, Ambassador of Serbia to France, expressed her great satisfaction at hosting the Ambassador of the European Negotiation Association at the Serbian Residence in Paris.

"We are delighted that Belgrade will host numerous major international events next year, beginning with the realization of our dream—EXPO 2027: Play for Humanity.

During EXPO, we will also have the opportunity to negotiate for humanity, as the Summit of the European Negotiation Association will be held in Belgrade for the very first time. Serbia is preparing for many important international gatherings, and we look forward to welcoming the world," Hrustanović said.

Francesco Marchi, President of the European Negotiation Association (ENEA), highlighted the importance of the partnership established with EXPO 2027.

"Bringing together representatives of the private sector, academia, and professional negotiators is an ambitious and highly valuable undertaking—especially at a time when it is essential to build bridges where many see divisions.

The European Negotiation Association builds bridges. We hope that next year's conference will provide an opportunity to strengthen them further—not only with the European Union, but also across the wider Balkan region," Marchi said.

The ceremony also featured remarks by Ana Bovan, Dean of the Executive School of Economics and Management (ESEM).