Michael Charokopos Fellowship period: 1 April - 30 June 2021 Topic: Borders and networks in the Western Balkans: Constructing energy and transport networks, and ‘culturing regionness’ Michael Charokopos works for the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an economic diplomat. His last assignment was to the Embassy of Greece in North Macedonia. He is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Piraeus, Department of International and European Studies (Programme on Energy). He studied International Relations and History at LSE and the University of Athens where he completed his PhD in Political Science. His research interests include energy and transport networks, Balkan politics and society, and EU external relations. During his stay at the EUI, Michael intends to work on a project exploring to what extent and how the promotion of connectivity in the Western Balkans is related to the development of transnational cooperation and ‘region-building’.