The Balkan Turtle Race. A warning for Ukraine
The Balkan Turtle Race. A warning for Ukraine

Author(s): Author Not Specified
Subject(s): International relations/trade, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development
Published by: ESI – European Stability Initiative
Keywords: EU-Enlargement; Ukraine access to EU; Western BAlkans;
Summary/Abstract: The EU considers some issues, such as the rule of law, of “fundamental” importance in the accession negotiations. This makes sense. The Commission found that Albania, North Macedonia and frontrunner Montenegro are all equally prepared, and all ahead of Serbia and Turkey on these very issues. So what difference does the focus on fundamentals really make during accession negotiations? And how can such a process inspire difficult reforms? The answer is: it doesn’t. In recent years neither Serbia nor Bosnia nor North Macedonia have made progress. Transformation is a chimera. Accession has turned into farce. Achilles never catches up and the turtle only inches forward. This is dangerous. It is also easy to remedy, if there is the will. One way to reenergize the accession process immediately is for the EU to show that it is still possible for countries that meet membership criteria, as objectively assessed by the European Commission, to become members. The Council could declare in 2022 that it is getting ready for Montenegro, the most advanced candidate with the longest positive track record, to become a member by early 2026, if it meets the criteria.

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