#WesternBalkans: Next wave of EU enlargement?

It has been a long-term goal of the EU to have Western Balkans countries join at some point. However, there are currently moves to find ways to facilitate the process. Bulgaria, in charge of the EU presidency, has made it a priority and is organizing a top-level summit in Sofia in May.

Meanwhile the European Commission is this month publishing its Enlargement Strategy Paper and is citing 2025 as an indicative joining date for Serbia and Montenegro. It will discuss the strategy with MEPs during the February plenary in Strasbourg.

What countries will be affected?

Candidate countries include Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are considered potential candidates.

What are the criteria for being an EU candidate country?

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

How does the enlargement process work?

A country can become an official candidate once it meets basic political, economic and reform criteria. It can then start formal negotiations on 35 chapters covering many different policy areas with the EU. Once negotiations and reforms have been completed, an Accession Treaty is finalized, which needs to be ratified by all existing EU member states and the country itself before the country can join the EU.

How  much progress have the Western Balkans countries already made?

 Montenegro and Serbia are the front-runners. Montenegro has opened 28 chapters and provisionally closed three, while Serbia has opened 10 chapters and provisionally closed two. The other countries are still preparing or are considered to still be in the starting blocks.

These countries already benefit from EU funding, detailed policy advice, as well as Stabilization and Association Agreements, giving far-reaching access to the EU’s internal market.

Check out this fact sheet for the current status of each Western Balkan country.

What is the role of the Parliament?

MEPs debate and vote on annual progress reports for each country, which is an opportunity to identify areas of concerns.

The Parliament’s approval is also required before a country can join the EU.