What does the Western Balkans cost me?
What does the Western Balkans cost me?

Author(s): Strahinja Subotić, Ana Milinković
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Economy, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development, Fiscal Politics / Budgeting, Geopolitics
Published by: Centar za evropske politike CEP
Keywords: EU enlargement; Western Balkans; fiscal impact; multiannual financial framework; budgetary projections; accession costs; geopolitical strategy
Summary/Abstract: Amid the renewed momentum for European Union enlargement triggered by Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, expectations are mounting that the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will translate political resolve into tangible financial planning. With negotiations on the MFF 2028-34 already underway, the EU urgently requires a sound and realistic assessment of the budgetary implications of future accessions – something that remains notably lacking. Building on the size and structure of the current MFF, this study seeks to fill that gap by providing a detailed, data-driven, and up-to-date estimate of the fiscal impact of the Western Balkan (WB) countries joining the EU.

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