Spotlight on Southeast Europe’s EU Integration – What Remains of Democratization and Peace-Building?
50th Workshop of the PfP Consortium Study Group „Regional Stability in South East Europe“ - Policy Recommendations
Beiträge in dieser Publikation:
| Name | Seiten/Dateigröße | |
|---|---|---|
| Spotlight on Southeast Europe’s EU Integration – What Remains of Democratization and Peace-Building? | 4 Seiten / 1.10 MB |
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Vorwort
Since the EU Thessaloniki Summit (2003), the process of integrating the Western Balkan (WB) states into the EU has gone through various phases. Despite granting all WB states (except Kosovo) candidate status and maintaining the bureaucratic integration process, there was no credible strategic commitment to enlargement by the EU. As a result of the increased geopolitical tensions linked to the Russian attacks on Ukraine since 2022, the EU’s integration policy toward the WB has regained strategic momentum. However, this newfound sense of urgency and strategic relevance of the WB cannot prevent exacerbating existing tensions and undermining trust in the EU’s commitment, should geopolitical considerations not be matched by credible policy adjustments. Gradual integration as envisaged by the EU would allow citizens to experience the benefits of EU integration before full accession. However, this is conditional on the approach not serving as a substitute for full accession and on democratic and peace-building objectives being pursued more consistently.