Enlargement regained prominence of the European Union agenda after Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. However, the window of opportunity for moving forward will not stay open forever.
Brussels, 16 November 2023 - Enlargement regained prominence of the European Union agenda after Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. However, the window of opportunity for moving forward will not stay open forever.
“Unjust delays, obstacles, and vetoes have undermined the credibility of the EU integration process and its capacity to drive progressive political transformation in the Western Balkans. Preventing and addressing these obstacles would restore the credibility of the integration process and move the process forward,” was the key message that members of the Western Balkans Strategy Group conveyed to EU decision makers and stakeholders from EU institutions during their advocacy visit to Brussels from 13 to 15 November 2023.
The visit occurred after the recent publication of the European Commission Enlargement Package 2023. The group met with MEPs, representatives of the European Commission, the European External Action Service, and representatives of the EU Council, as well as think tanks and journalists.
Recognising the pivotal role of EU institutions in shaping narratives on enlargement, the group urged consistent emphasis of the EU institutions, with focus on EU delegations in the region, on a merit-based approach, safeguarding fundamental human rights and freedoms. At the same time, they assessed that political leaders in the Western Balkans should deliver reforms without further delay through a participatory approach and inclusion of civic actors.
“The EU should allocate additional resources to strengthen support for credible civil society actors dedicated to EU values and principles, normalizing relations between the countries in the region, and advocating for the genuine democratic consolidation”, advocated the Western Balkans Strategy Group, underlying the importance of values that appeared neglected in previous period, leading to backsliding.
The group also stressed the need for more support for and engagement with credible local actors that support EU values and principles to further bolster such efforts in the region from the bottom up.
The Western Balkans Strategy Group was established by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung 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.
Contacts and more information about the group are available here.
Read the full position paper "Enlargement uncertainty: Reframing EU-Western Balkans relations" by the Western Balkans Strategy Group.
Media contact: Joan Lanfranco.
