Integrating the Western Balkans into the European Union: Overcoming Political and Economic Constraints
Integrating the Western Balkans into the European Union: Overcoming Political and Economic Constraints

Summary/Abstract: The countries of the Western Balkans have been slow to adopt the EU integration agenda. The most important issues such as these countries’ economic and political problems remain unresolved. This is because the countries of South East Europe have been unable to resolve the regional challenges and achieve a political consensus. These challenges could delay the necessary economic reforms and the process of EU enlargement for these countries. This paper will address identify the problems of Western Balkan countries as they seek to integrate with the EU such as: the absorption capacities regarding IPA funds, regional ownership as a mechanism for further cooperation in region, as well as the institutional capacity. The current enlargement process suggests that the Western Balkan region could face serious challenges relative to EU enlargement. Taking this fact into consideration, the paper also specifically analyses the EU’s enlargement strategy concerning the integration of the Western Balkans. The conclusion suggests the main steps that should be undertaken by the EU in order to intensify the EU integration process of Western Balkan countries and especially for Kosovo as a country in an early stage of the EU integration process.

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