It has been a long-term goal of the EU to have Western Balkans countries join at some point. However, EU countries and the EU institutions disagree on how much progress they need to make and how soon they could join.
What countries will be affected?
Current candidate countries include Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidates.
These countries already benefit from EU funding, detailed policy advice, as well as Stabilisation and Association Agreements, giving far-reaching access to the EU’s internal market.
In addition to the Western Balkan countries, Turkey is also a candidate country. MEPs have called for negotiations to be suspended due to concerns over the political situation in Turkey.
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 finalised, which needs to be ratified by all existing EU member states and the country itself before the country can join the EU.
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.
How has the situation evolved in recent years?
The European Commission published its Enlargement Strategy Paper on 6 February 2018, which cites 2025 as an indicative joining date for Serbia and Montenegro. Commission representatives discussed the strategy with MEPs during a debate in plenary in Strasbourg on the same day.
MEPs broadly welcomed the strategy, but also stressed the need for reforms in the Western Balkans.
During an EU-Western Balkans summit in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia, on 6 October 2021, EU leaders reiterated their support for the countries and set out a range of initiatives to boost the region.
Parliament continues to support the accession of the Western Balkans countries to the EU. In a resolution adopted in June 2020, MEPs call on the EU to do more to make the enlargement process for these countries a success. .
In a resolution adopted in October 2019, Parliament expressed disappointment that Albania and North Macedonia were not able to start accession talks, stressing that the enlargement process has played a decisive role in stabilising the Western Balkans.
Ref.: 20180126STO94113
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