EU policies and strategy towards the Western Balkans: where is it heading?
EU policies and strategy towards the Western Balkans: where is it heading?

Summary/Abstract: To analyze the current policies of the European Union towards the Western Balkans and consequently, the strategy that drives them, it is not an easy task. Nevertheless, through the insights of the supranationalism view on integration versus that of the intergovenmentalism rationale, I argue the implications and the effects of the current, “frozen” enlargement process and the reasons that led to such an outcome. Specifically, in juxtaposing the theoretical approaches of neo-functionalism with that of liberal intergovernmentalism, I seek to find out the reasons that are leading the process of enlargement toward a ‘dead end’ point, with no clear perspective for the Western Balkans` countries in the near future. Starting with a short comparison between supranationalism views on the EU, and an intergovernmentalist understanding, I will then follow with a theoretical discussion of the two most elaborated approaches on European Integration field, namely neo-functionalism and liberal intergovernmentalism. Afterwards, I analyze the current situation of EU policies toward the Western Balkans while applying the theoretical frame that suits mostly the case study. Finally, I come at a conclusion of the vision or strategy that the European Union has toward the region (if any), and what can be some of the effects of the prolongation of the process.

• Details
• Contents