EU membership of the Western Balkan states in times of crisis: From a strategic choice to protracted inertia
EU membership of the Western Balkan states in times of crisis: From a strategic choice to protracted inertia

Author(s): Marko Stojić
Subject(s): Governance, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development
Published by: EUROPEUM - Institut pro evropskou politiku
Summary/Abstract: The process that began twenty years ago has not yet resulted in sustainable political and economicchanges aimed at stabilising and democratising this turbulent region. Apart from North Macedonia and, to some extent, Albania that have made progress in meeting the conditions for the launch of their EUmembership talks, most (potential) candidates have stagnated or regressed in implementing reformsneeded to join the Union. The Commission noted that ‘credible progress in the rule of law area remainsa significant challenge’ and that ‘democratic systems in the Western Balkans are still not functioningproperly’, while ‘urgent efforts are necessary to ensure freedom of expression and the independence ofthe media across the entire region’.1 Although more detailed and critical in assessing the state of play ineach (potential) candidate, the Commission nevertheless missed an opportunity to call things by theirreal name, to directly point out the areas where candidates not only made no strides but also backslid,and offer more concrete – if not punitive –measures to overcome what is now a chronic lack of progress.The Commission reports also show that there are arguably no fundamental differences betweencountries negotiating EU membership for years and those that are yet to start accession talks, castingdoubt on how much the EU genuinely contributes to the transformation of the aspiring members andtheir preparation for joining the bloc.

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