"Reconciliation in the Western Balkans will take time and requires sustained, creative efforts from governments and civil society. As a parliamentarian in Brussels for 18 years, I have been particularly supportive of initiatives for young people and also those that encourage lasting, sustainable peace and development in the Southeast Europe region. The CDRSEE has consistently developed effective, positive and inclusive programmes that understand the importance of the role of the next generation in securing a lasting peace and flourishing of the Western Balkans.  It not only promotes a message, but also lives it: showing that conflicts can be overcome with dialogue and that there is unity in diversity."

“Let me first say, how much I am in favor of the Join initiative and how much I admire the efforts to put it in practice. After the success  of the 4 existing volumes  -- the Ottoman Empire, States and Nations, the Balkan Wars, and the Second World War --  comes the period after the Second World War, usually defined as the Cold War, as well as the contemporary period, what the Germans call Zeitgeschichte. In many ways, these are the more difficult volumes because of the enormity of material that has to be sifted and because of the closeness of the period and the strong memories or opinions bolstered by lived experience. I have been particularly impressed by the pedagogical side: the aptness of the QUESTIONS and TASKS which beautifully integrate the sources offered for interpretation.”

“The most important is to depict history as it was which is, in a region where there were wars just recently, a very difficult issue. Therefore, we are very grateful that this project (…) has produced a cooperation between the different countries of Southeastern Europe. We hope that this will contribute to reconciliation and to overcome the problems of the past and to find consensus."

“…As one of the founders, and the founding chairman of the CDRSEE, I recall vividly our origins and original conception and am very proud that we have remained true to it (…) In thinking back on our early days, I want to make special note of the inspirational leadership provided by my longtime friend and mentor, U.S. Congressman John Bradamas, who provided to us vision and guidance, as well as practical help with policy makers in Washington and Europe, and also the important roles of Nikos Efthymiadis as a trusted business leader and forward-looking thinker in Thessaloniki, and Costas Carras as a person of principle, a deep thinker and an active doer.”