Original scientific paper

EU POLICY TOWARDS THE WESTERN BALKANS

Nataša Beširević ; Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Cujzek ; Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

This paper argues that various EU policy initiatives towards the Western Balkans
in the period of 1990-1999 did not in fact encourage the Western Balkans
to move on and secure quicker integration into the European Union. They also
failed to support reforms in the political, economic and social spheres. In addition,
EU initiatives were too ineffective in terms of development of regional
cooperation among countries of the region. Thus, new models were – and still
are – needed if the EU remains committed to further enlargement in the Western
Balkans. The author proposes development of a euro-region in the Western
Balkans. In this way, countries of the Western Balkans would be encouraged
to collaborate in applying for EU funding, which would support other
forms of cooperation. However, since the funds are now restricted, it is more
likely that even this approach would have only limited success.

Keywords

European Union; EU Policy towards the Western Balkans; Stabilisation and Association Process; CARDS; IPA

Hrčak ID:

101106

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/101106

Publication date:

26.4.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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