It is obvious and justified that for the moment, due to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the attention of the West and particularly the EU is entirely directed toward the war in Ukraine and the threat of future attacks against Moldova or Georgia. In addition, we can anticipate a largely positive reaction by EU institutions to these three countries’ membership aspirations. But how can people in these countries have confidence in the EU’s reaction to their requests and aspirations when the countries of the Western Balkans have experienced so much neglect and disappointment over the years? What will they think about the promises given to them when they realize how many promises given to countries of the Western Balkans have been broken?
Notwithstanding the failures of reform in the Western Balkans over many years, the last years have been characterized by the EU’s failure to meet its obligations. Now would be an ideal moment to give a new boost to the enlargement process for the Western Balkans and also fulfill long overdue promises and obligations to the EU member countries not yet included in the Schengen Area. Such courageous steps would give a clear sign to Russia and China that the Western Balkans are not open to their machinations against the West and particularly the EU. Hollow declarations of support are not enough.
Actions are necessary to prevent Russia from expanding its influence in the Western Balkans in support of its authoritarian system of rule and aggressively anti-EU foreign policy. The EU must prevent the creation of a void that Russia or China could seize upon. The tragedy of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the EU’s strong and united response should be translated into a strengthening of the EU as the answer to nationalism and autocratic rule.
- According to the EU Commission, Bulgaria and Romania fulfilled the conditions to become part of the Schengen Area many years ago. It would be a significant step forwards in times of free travel for Ukrainians to include Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen Area.
- At the same time, Bulgaria should recognize its EU responsibility and give the green light for the opening of negotiations with North Macedonia. All bilateral issues can be addressed in the subsequent years subject of bilateral talks, but there is nothing that should prevent the opening of accession discussions.
- The Council of the EU should express its firm commitment to the accession of the Western Balkan countries by opening accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania. These talks -- which will take many years -- are long overdue. Moreover, they should be seen in connection with a change in the EU’s general accession approach and proceedings.
- The EU should grant the long-promised visa-free regime for Kosovo. In addition, Bosnia and Herzegovina should be strongly encouraged to follow the EU example and guarantee visa-free travel to citizens of Kosovo.
- The five EU member states that do not recognize Kosovo should step up their engagement in Kosovo and their cooperation with Kosovar authorities. They should see recognition of an independent Kosovo as a major contribution to stability in the Western Balkans.
- The proposal of French President Emmanuel Macron to establish a European Political Community should be linked with new proposals for a staged enlargement process. A comprehensive European Community cannot be a substitute for a well-planned enlargement process, but this process must be restructured and allow a step-by-step integration process. For each step towards fulfilling conditions set out by the EU, candidate countries should be increasingly included in areas of EU policy.
Obligations and rights would be closely connected and achieved in a staged process. Through these procedures, the leaders of potential candidate countries will be in competition to fulfil necessary reforms and not fall behind other countries in the region.
The Commission should be asked by the Council to elaborate a new concept to answer the needs of the new geopolitical reality. An open discussion with the Council and the Parliament based on existing expertise would lead to a new and more efficient accession process with all countries having the same chances to succeed and the EU gaining time until the full integration of any newcomers for necessary internal reforms.
Dr. Hannes Swoboda, President of the International Institute for Peace (IIP), started his career in urban politics in Vienna and was elected member of the European Parliament in 1996. He was Vice President of the Social Democrat Group until 2012 und then President until 2014. He was particularly engaged in foreign, enlargement, and neighborhood policies. Swoboda is also President of the Vienna Institute for International Economics, the Centre of Architecture, the University for Applied Science - Campus Vienna, and the Sir Peter Ustinov Institute.