Vienna, 13 June 2024 - The June 2024 EU elections hold significant implications for the Western Balkans (WB), a region whose political and economic stability is closely intertwined with European integration and which requires focused attention from the EU.
“The EU should prioritize the integration of the WB6 as a matter of security. This would be crucial to ensure peace, economic stability and human security in the current geopolitical climate of the region. Such prioritization would include the EP’s consistent engagement with WB candidate countries with clear and transparent communication regarding accession criteria and expectations. Moreover, this requires the EU to apply more stringent conditionality, emphasizing adherence to democratic principles, the rule of law and respect for human rights as non-negotiable conditions for accession,” stated the Western Balkans Strategy Group during their visit to Vienna, where they held a series of advocacy meetings.
Over three days, the Strategy Group met with Austrian officials, the Minister of Justice Alma Zadić, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Austrian Parliament. They also engaged with representatives from major think tanks and foundations, as well as EU institutions and regional initiatives based in Vienna.
Discussions highlighted the impact of the EU elections on the WB enlargement strategy, underscoring the need for EU institutions to implement mechanisms to facilitate the transfer and circulation of expertise, experience and networks between the WB and the Eastern Trio on their shared EU path.
The group emphasized the need to address the region’s deteriorating democracy and increasing authoritarian tendencies. “The EU institutions and member states should require more transparency and accountability from the WB governments,” the Strategy Group stated, pointing to the opportunities presented by the Growth Plan for enhancing the region’s preparedness for membership.
You can read the full policy brief here.
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The Western Balkans Strategy Group was established by the Heinrich Boell Foundation to conceptualize and present EU decision-makers with policy proposals aimed at revitalizing the EU accession process of the WB countries in line with progressive, green and gender-sensitive values. The group consists of prominent civil society representatives from each of the Western Balkan countries.