Sticky or stuck? Challenges of Bosnia’s and Moldova’s accession into the EU
Sticky or stuck? Challenges of Bosnia’s and Moldova’s accession into the EU

Summary/Abstract: This article explores the contemporary dynamics surrounding EU enlargement and the rapidmomentum that was ignited by the circumstances of 24 February 2022. To explore this topic, thearticle looks at Bosnia’s and Moldova’s similar, yet distinct paths towards the EU and examines howthey measure up to the prospect of accession in the context of a possible fast-track enlargement.Through the application of content analysis of EU and national policy documents concerning EUenlargement published after 24 February 2022, as well as findings gathered from EU enlargementprogress trackers, shadow reports, indexes, and commentaries by independent civil society, the articleidentifies significant gaps between the EU’s own assessment of progress and domestic realities in bothMoldova and Bosnia. Accordingly, the article identifies and discusses four particularly problematicareas, common to both states that are potential ”sticking points” standing in the way of their respectiveEU accession paths: polarisation, oligarchy and corruption, accountability and democratic institutions,as well as fundamental rights and civil society. The article posits that because of problems in thesespheres, the countries’ paths towards the EU are ”sticky”, but still far from ”stuck”.

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