On October 12, 2022, the European Commission published the 2022 Enlargement Package, which evaluates reforms in the Western Balkans.[1] In the report, the Commission has expressed that they detailly analyzed the progress of candidate member countries to the EU. While a devastating war continues in Eastern Europe, EU membership is quite important for the Western Balkan countries, for providing a specific economic and political security frame. Therefore, the evaluation of the commission is a decisive step in the membership process.
The enlargement process of the EU is quite slow, and this feature of the Union is frequently criticized by other international actors. Similarly, the membership process of the Western Balkan countries is progressing slowly. Even though the Western Balkans is important for the EU, it is observed that it is not primary geography. Because, in the report, it is seen that there is not a concrete development for the states of the region to be a member.
When the 2022 and 2021 Enlargement Packages are compared, it is understood that there is not a significant difference.[2] In the report, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and Kosovo were handled. Generally, the Commission highlighted the need for the application of similar necessities for these countries both in 2021 and 2022. These are; rule of law and democracy, anti-corruption, dependence on strategy and reforms of the EU, and convenience to the EU foreign and security policies.
In addition to the Enlargement Packages, when the EU’s policy is evaluated, these necessities are paid regard to the candidate member states, as well as the member states to the Union. However, the general deficiency seen in the enlargement packages that the lack of recommendations to the candidate countries on how to apply these reforms. It can be expressed that the Union cares about the Western Balkan countries, which established their democratic structure more recently than other EU countries, to apply these recommendations more.
Naturally, in the process of membership to the EU, candidates or candidate-for-nomination countries must apply the conditions served by the Union. The obligations such as bringing any discord to an inclusive resolution and applying democratic activities belong to the governments. However, considering the extraordinary situation continuing in Eastern Europe due to the Russian-Ukrainian War, the EU may draw a strategic map for the Western Balkan Countries. Because, repeating the same concepts and expectations for years, prevents emerging of this consciousness within the societies of the candidate member countries, and aggravates the process for the Western Balkan administrations, who apply democracy for the last 30 years.
In the evaluations of the Commission, even though there is not a significant change compared to the 2021 Enlargement Report for Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia, for BiH, there is a different situation. Because, in the report, it is expressed Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia, that “they need to concentrate on democracy, public administration, rule of law and anti-corruption.” On the contrary, compared to the other countries, the most favourable message was given to the BiH. Already, the European Council has expressed in June 2022, that they are ready for giving candidate membership status to BiH.[3] Also in the Enlargement Report, it is highlighted that “Despite the general elections on October 2, 2022, the leaders of the political parties represented in the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH adhere to the principles of creating a functional country on the European path.”
In addition to all of this, the Commission welcomed the start of the negotiations between Albania and North Macedonia, yet it did not include the issue of North Macedonia’s negotiations with Bulgaria on membership and their agreement on some issues. In addition, the tension between Serbia and Kosovo due to identity documents and car plates was handled casually in the report, and it was emphasized that Kosovo and Serbia should continue the dialogue.
As a result, the enlargement packages that include the progress of the candidate countries, show that the Western Balkan countries do not have serious progress since 2003, and this means that the region is not the priority for the EU. However, due to the war in Ukraine, it can be foreseen that a change will be in soon.
[1] “2022 Enlargement Package: European Commission Assesses Reforms in the Western Balkans and Türkiye and Recommends Candidate Status for Bosnia and Herzegovina”, European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_6082, (Date of Accession: 13.10.2022).
[2] “2021 Enlargement Package: European Commission Assesses and Sets out Reform Priorities for the Western Balkans and Turkey”, European Commission, https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/2021-enlargement-package-european-commission-assesses-and-sets-out-reform-priorities-western-balkans-2021-10-19_en, (Date of Accession: 13.10.2022).
[3] “Political Agreement on Principles for Ensuring a Functional Bosnia and Herzegovina That Advances on the European Path”, European Council, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/06/12/political-agreement-on-principles-for-ensuring-a-functional-bosnia-and-herzegovina-that-advances-on-the-european-path/, (Date of Accession: 13.10.2022).
