The Case of the Western Balkan countries by Elvita Mertins
Enlargement is one of the most powerful and important policy tools used by the European Union (EU) to serve its strategic interests in security, stability, conflict prevention, and increased economic prosperity. Having grown since 1950’s from 6 to 28 member states, the EU now has another number of countries wanting to join in.
The current enlargement agenda covers the countries of the Western Balkans, Turkey and Iceland. Moreover, the enlargement door remains open to any European country which is able to meet and implement the political and economic criteria for membership, which are known as the ‘Copenhagen criteria’. Without going into details, the 2014 EU enlargement package is based on three main pillars: the rule of law, economic governance and public administration reform1.
The current enlargement agenda covers the countries of the Western Balkans, Turkey and Iceland. Moreover, the enlargement door remains open to any European country which is able to meet and implement the political and economic criteria for membership, which are known as the ‘Copenhagen criteria’. Without going into details, the 2014 EU enlargement package is based on three main pillars: the rule of law, economic governance and public administration reform1.
Currently, four Western Balkan countries are considered by the EU as official candidates for membership: Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Bosnia and Hercegovina and Kosovo remain as potential candidates)2.
All are at different stages of the accession process, and face various issues and challenges on the road to EU membership3. According to the Commission's latest Progress Reports on this region, several problems are confronting the Western Balkan countries: assuring of independent judiciary, fighting against corruption and organised crime, respecting human and fundamental rights, supporting the development of civil society,building efficient public administrations, unsolved border and minority issues4. At the same time, the region confront with socio-economic problems like soaring (youth) unemployment, decreasing European investment flows, low growing rate, a huge share of the informal economy, and debts. It is evident that, the Western Balkan region is in need of macroeconomic, fiscal and structural reforms. By now none of the Balkan countries enjoys the status of a functioning market economy5.
All are at different stages of the accession process, and face various issues and challenges on the road to EU membership3. According to the Commission's latest Progress Reports on this region, several problems are confronting the Western Balkan countries: assuring of independent judiciary, fighting against corruption and organised crime, respecting human and fundamental rights, supporting the development of civil society,building efficient public administrations, unsolved border and minority issues4. At the same time, the region confront with socio-economic problems like soaring (youth) unemployment, decreasing European investment flows, low growing rate, a huge share of the informal economy, and debts. It is evident that, the Western Balkan region is in need of macroeconomic, fiscal and structural reforms. By now none of the Balkan countries enjoys the status of a functioning market economy5.
Notwithstanding the problems the region faces, integration of the Western Balkan states in the EU will bring advantage such as the extension of peace, stability, prosperity, democracy, human rights and the rule of law across Europe. Moreover, the EU is the main trading partner for the Western Balkan countries, receiving approximately 60% of the exports from the region. It is paramount that the EU remains committed to membership perspective of Western Balkan countries, whereas “enlargement fatigue” has become a serious issue in Europe. A number of European leaders and many EU citizens remain cautious about further EU enlargement6. In other words, acceding countries must be able to fully ensure EU enlargement obligations of EU membership, and not to put at risk the ability of EU’s institutions to function effectively. Namely the acknowledgement of this fact makes European politicians avoid mentioning the exact timetable of the EU enlargement project implementation7. Overall, it is very important to understand that the success of the Balkans it is also the EU’s success. The possibility of membership will help accelerate reforms and promote greater stability in this region and other countries interested in the eventual EU accession.
1 See more about EU enlargement policy and its instruments: European Commission, The European Union explained: Enlargement, (2013) European Commission, Enlargement strategy and main challenges 2014-2015, (2014).
2 To check current status of the EU candidate countries and potential candidates: European Commission, Enlargement, (2014).
3 See more about country – specific problems in terms of the EU accession process in the Western Balkan region: European Commission Press Release, Enlargement in 2014 and beyond: progress and challenges.
4 In the latter Subcommittee on Human Rights meeting on the 4th of November, 2014 special concern was addressed to sexual minorities, children’ and women’ access to justice, freedom of expression and independent media issues.
5 More about challenges the Western Balkan countries face on the way to the EU accession process see: European Commission, Enlargement strategy and progress reports, (2014).
6 According to the Eurobarometer survey (2013) is significant decline in support for future enlargement by EU citizens see more: Public opinion in the EU, page 62 .
7 See more: European Parliament, Press release, EU enlargement package 2014: MEPs stress needs to communicate benefits better, (2014).
2 To check current status of the EU candidate countries and potential candidates: European Commission, Enlargement, (2014).
3 See more about country – specific problems in terms of the EU accession process in the Western Balkan region: European Commission Press Release, Enlargement in 2014 and beyond: progress and challenges.
4 In the latter Subcommittee on Human Rights meeting on the 4th of November, 2014 special concern was addressed to sexual minorities, children’ and women’ access to justice, freedom of expression and independent media issues.
5 More about challenges the Western Balkan countries face on the way to the EU accession process see: European Commission, Enlargement strategy and progress reports, (2014).
6 According to the Eurobarometer survey (2013) is significant decline in support for future enlargement by EU citizens see more: Public opinion in the EU, page 62 .
7 See more: European Parliament, Press release, EU enlargement package 2014: MEPs stress needs to communicate benefits better, (2014).
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