Can the European Public Block the Enlargement to the Western Balkans?
Can the European Public Block the Enlargement to the Western Balkans?

Author(s): Anes Makul
Subject(s): Politics, International relations/trade, Policy, planning, forecast and speculation, Economic development, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment
Published by: Ústav mezinárodních vztahů
Keywords: EU enlargement; political and economic performance; Member States; EU accession; public opinion; Visegrad countries;
Summary/Abstract: The EU enlargement has been questioned since the first enlargement round. Also, since the start of the global economic crisis, public support to further enlargement decreased significantly. Whether a turnaround in this trend will occur depends on whether there will be changes in several main dimensions. The EU and its member states, as well as the candidate and potential candidate states, need to improve their economic performances and provide opportunities and perspective to their younger generations. The political and economic performance of the newest member states, Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia, is a significant indicator that can shape the public opinion on further enlargement. The candidate and potential candidate states should be further encouraged and supported in their fulfilling of the accession criteria. The EU institutions and national governments should develop policies to explain to citizens the implications of further enlargement.

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