The Research Advisory Group on the Balkans will be established in co-operation between the Centre for Southeastern European Studies of the University of Graz and the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB) with the aim to assist in the transition of the Balkans from the stage of unconsolidated democracies and weak economies to the stage of EU accession. This goal will be achieved by providing expert knowledge to the European Fund for the Balkans in rethinking its strategy channeled through the Funds core activities and identifying new areas of engagement aligned with the EFB overall goals. The Research Advisory Group will analyze and debate the existing mechanisms and political skills of the EU and the region to successfully bring to an end the project of EU Integration of the Balkans as promised at the Thessaloniki Summit in June 2003.