The Western Balkans’ EU-Perspective in an Era of New Challenges and New Uncertainties
The Western Balkans’ EU-Perspective in an Era of New Challenges and New Uncertainties

External Game Changers of an Agonizing Accession Process

Summary/Abstract: Contrary to the ceaseless assurances of the EU Summit in Thessaloniki 2003, the large majority of EU accession aspirants of Western Balkans states still remain excluded. Their perspectives for full EU membership in the near future are narrowing. Though incessantly reconfirmed with mantra-like oaths, but still unadapted to the altered world of the second decade of the 21st century, this policy refuses to acknowledge some of the drastically changed enlargement conditions. The article provides food for thought to reflect both on the changed nature of accession conditionality for the so-called “Western Balkans Six / WB6” (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) as well as on the nature of the accession processes to come. The article favors increasing membership chances for all six – rather than a merit-based approach for individual – aspirants, the joint accession as a group, and encourages political pressure in favour of it. To take a more realistic political view on enlargement in general, the article briefly discusses a “Plan B”, and even a “Plan C” as alternatives to full EU membership.

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