EU Enlargement, Conditionality Policy and Prospects for the Integration of the Western Balkans

Milenković, Marko (2022) EU Enlargement, Conditionality Policy and Prospects for the Integration of the Western Balkans. In: L'allargamento dell'Unione europea e le transizioni costituzionali nei Balcani occidentali : Una raccolta di lezioni. Diritto dell'Unione europea . Editoriale Scientifica s.r.l., Napoli, pp. 61-75. ISBN 979-12-5976-294-8

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Abstract

The EU integration process for the Western Balkans has turned out to be a two-decade-long road to membership with no clear prospects of a conclusion in sight. With or without prospective membership, this has been and is a process of profound legal, economic and societal change. As outlined in the text, there are many obstacles and challenges in the process of joining, but the benefits are far more than merely economic. It is important to note that, bearing in mind the change it brings, there is a significant value in the process irrespective of (prospective) EU membership. The Countries of the region have benefitted and will continue to benefit from close relations with the EU and its member States, from comprehensive association agreements to cooperation in numerous fields such as energy, transport, education and science. However, given the uncertain future of enlargement, the time has come to (re)visit WB integration, including alternative integration scenarios, as recent strategic documents would indicate. Therefore, the debate on the future (non)membership options for the region, which would still afford the Union a transformative power and strong presence in the region, must be continued. Furthermore, concrete proposals and actions on the part of both the EU and the candidate Countries should follow.

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