Over the past 20 years, the EU enlargement process has proven itself the only viable policy for stabilising the countries of the western Balkans region and stimulating their political and economic progress. As a tool for extending peace, security and prosperity in Europe, it is a policy that has also benefited the EU along with its partner countries.
Now, with the Lisbon treaty and its removal of institutional obstacles, I am convinced that the EU is ready to renew its enlargement effort while also identifying the most appropriate instruments to deal with potential instability in the western Balkans.
Conditionality is a highly efficient mechanism in the accession process, but it has to be a two-way road. Candidate countries of course have to fulfil the pre-set criteria, but we also have to prevent the process from turning sour, and that means the EU must make the goals achievable.
Croatia, has now entered the final phase of its accession negotiations and will thus become the 28th EU member state, and is at the same time dedicated to doing everything that’s necessary to turn the same goal into reality for the rest of the western Balkans. Integrating this whole region into the EU is key to Europe’s wider stability and security.
