The Western Balkan countries’ accession to the European Union from the energy perspective
The Western Balkan countries’ accession to the European Union from the energy perspective

Summary/Abstract: Given the particular historical, political and socioeconomic circumstances, the countries of the Western Balkans have met the necessary conditions for the integration of their national energy systems with the EU energy system to varying and often modest degrees. Recent changes in Europe’s energy strategy and trends additionally complicate the situation in the Western Balkans. The situation is substantially different in the oil, gas, electricity, renewable energy, and energy efficiency sectors. The fact that the processes are often stalled is also indicated by the measures that have been taken against some of the countries from the domain of the Energy Community sanctions. This paper analyses the situation in the energy systems of the Western Balkan countries in terms of fulfilment of the criteria for the EU accession and the system of measures taken by the EU towards future member states in the accession process, as well as the factors affecting this situation, especially the influence of forces outside the region.

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