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A SHARED PATH TO STABILITY AND EU MEMBERSHIP FOR THE WESTERN BALKANS

The Western Balkans remains high on EU’s agenda, but progress toward membership is slow. Internal ethnic divisions, bilateral political disputes, and insufficient EU support are key obstacles. A demographic crisis further complicates the region’s future. Poor economic opportunities are driving emigration, draining talent and weakening its long-term capacity for growth. “We can stop this only if we make our region attractive and livable,” a speaker noted. Others suggested the EU could do more to help.

 

Ethnic divisions, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, continue to dominate political and social narratives despite the last war in the region ending over a quarter century ago. Nationalism remains a powerful force. It helps you win and lose election and power. The region’s slow reforms, corruption, and authoritarian tendencies weaken institutions and increase public disillusionment. “Can we overcome these challenges and build states and societies compatible with EU standards?” one speaker asked. “The solution lies in finding a common ground for a better future,” another responded. “The external actors can help us, but the burden lays with us,” the speaker added.

 

Despite frustrations with leaderships and doubts about EU integration, public support for the EU remains strong, signaling hope for a shared regional vision. Opportunities exist. The Common Regional Market (CRM) could boost economic growth and regional cooperation. The EU’s growth plan and the Berlin Process are also key mechanisms. Many participants emphasized that the EU and the US support are critical to resolving disputes and advancing EU membership. “We can’t do it alone.” Participants proposed a timeline for full membership by 2030 or 2033 as realistic, optimistic that internal governance issues, reforms, internal and bilateral disputes, and demographic decline can be addressed by then.

 

These insights came from a roundtable organized by the Council for Inclusive Governance (CIG) in cooperation with the German Federal Foreign Office in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on November 14-15, 2024. Below is the report from the discussions.