The Western Balkans: A Chance for the EU A Liberal Perspective on the Accession Process
The Western Balkans: A Chance for the EU A Liberal Perspective on the Accession Process

Author(s): Not Specified Author
Subject(s): Economic policy, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Political behavior, Politics and law, Comparative politics, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment
Published by: Fondacija Boris Divković
Keywords: Western Balkans; Accession process; influence of other foreign powers; EU; Rule of Law; Economic integration;
Summary/Abstract: Taking a look at the map it is clear that the countries of the Western Balkans (in this paper Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) are a geopolitically crucial part of Europe that is still missing from the European Union. For political, economic and infrastructural reasons, as well as for the European identity that the Union shares with the Western Balkans, it is vital to reanimate the spirit of the accession process in the region and in the European member states. The EU accession process needs adaptations and improvements to provide more clarity, support and realistic perspectives for the aspiring members. The perspective of the Western Balkans states on the further development of the accession process is comparatively under-represented in the day-to-day debate on EU enlargement. Therefore, representatives of five liberal parties who are active in the above-mentioned states have compiled this short paper on their opinion on possible adjustments in the accession process speaking from their own experience as policy makers.

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