Embracing the Western Balkan countries’ EU accession process. A vital question mark of the EU

Balkan Focus policy brief series

Policy Brief

24/08/2023

This policy brief highlights the challenges and geopolitical shifts impacting the EU enlargement process for the Western Balkan (WB6) region. Concerns over democratic institutions and the reluctance of some EU member countries have significantly slowed down the enlargement process.

To overcome obstacles, the EU has been pushing in the region for both the reforms needed and the idea of reaching regional integration as a way to enhance welfare, growth and stability. However, these strategies have yet to yield the desired results.

The outbreak of Covid-19, geopolitical tensions and an increasingly confrontational global environment might well compel the EU to reassess its regional engagement and provide a credible enlargement path for the WB6. Yet, reforms are not only needed in the WB6, but also in the EU to make its decision-making process more efficient.

Notwithstanding current obstacles, the shifting global order and the influence of external actors in the region make the WB6 inclusion within the EU of vital importance for European security and stability at large.

The Balkan Focus policy brief series, published in cooperation with Centro Studi di Politica Internazionale (CeSPI) and Karl Renner Institut, is realised in synergy with the Friends of the Western Balkan (FoWB) project. It provides the FoWB network with background analyses on current political developments in the Western Balkan countries, as well as on the debate and process of European enlargement. The policy briefs also factor in the outcome of the debate held by the FoWB members. Three more policy briefs will be published later this year.

Network
Centro Studi di Politica Internazionale (CeSPI)
Karl Renner Institut
Related publications
24/08/2023

Montenegro’s political transition. From Djukanović to where?

Balkan Focus policy brief series
Find all related publications
Publications
24/08/2023

Montenegro’s political transition. From Djukanović to where?

Balkan Focus policy brief series
24/08/2023

Embracing the Western Balkan countries’ EU accession process. A vital question mark of the EU

Balkan Focus policy brief series
25/01/2023

Progressive Yearbook 2023

Looking back to look ahead
23/10/2022

The progressive potential of the EU

FEPS Primers series - Richard Corbett
Find all related events
Events
Upcoming
26/10/2023
Brussels, Belgium (Hybrid)

The rise of political entrepreneurs in Europe

Next Left lecture IV
Past
22 - 24/06/2023
Thessaloniki, Greece (Expert meeting)

Friends of the Western Balkans Thessaloniki meeting

20 years anniversary of the Thessaloniki Declaration
09 - 11/11/2018

School for European Democracy 2018

Scuola di Democrazia Europea 2018
Find all related news
News
29/06/2023

Friends of the Western Balkans’ statement

Thessaloniki, 24 June 2023 We, the network of the Friends of the Western Balkans, representatives […]
30/05/2023

FEPS renews its support to ULB students’ magazine Eyes on Europe

FEPS is proud to renew its collaboration with the ULB student non-profit association “Eyes on Europe“ at […]
01/12/2022

Progressive MPs and MEPs advocate for the fulfilment of the promise made in Thessaloniki to the Western Balkans

Open letter to the European leaders ahead of the EU - Western Balkans Summit
21/06/2022

Ahead of this week’s European Council, progressive MEPs and MPs urge EU leaders to take resolute actions toward the Western Balkans

On 17 and 18 June, the ‘Friends of the Western Balkans’, the newly established network […]
Find all related in the media
In the media

Borko Stefanović: Odmah usaglasiti spoljnu politiku sa EU i napraviti od Srbije dobro i sigurno mesto za život

by Danas 26/06/2023
Borko Stefanović, deputy president of the Freedom and Justice Party, participated in the international meeting in Thessaloniki organized by FEPS, the Friends of the Western Balkans and FES

Ocidente em minoria ou reforma da governação global?

by Público 08/06/2023
'West in minority or global governance reform?' In Público's article, FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues explains the importance of reforming the actual global governance system

‘No one is unemployable’: the French social experiment

by EUobserver 21/03/2023
EUobserver article on unemployment in the EU with a mention to FEPS' policy brief 'A Job Guarantee for Europe.'

Ania Skrzypek ‘Er waait een sociaaldemocratische wind door Europa’

by SAMPOL 09/12/2022
'A social democratic wind is blowing through Europe' Interview with Ania Skrzypek, FEPS Director for Research and Training