Latest news
- Enlargement package: Commission publishes reports on the Western Balkans partners and Turkey // 17 April 2018
- European Council conclusions on the Western Balkans // 22 March
- President Juncker visits the Western Balkans – Press release // 22 FebruaryPresident Juncker’s speeches during his visit to the region:
– the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia // 25 February 2018
– Albania // 25 February 2018
– Kosovo // 28 February 2018
– Bosnia and Herzegovina // 28 February 2018
– Montenegro // 27 February 2018
– Serbia // 26 February 2018 - Western Balkans Strategy: a unique opportunity for the region to anchor its future to the EU – Press release // 6 February 2018
Adoption of the Western Balkans strategy
European Commission’s College meeting on 06/02/2018
- Extracts from the Read-out of the College meeting of 06/02/2018 by Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC, and Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European
- Read-out of the College meeting by HRVP Federica MOGHERINI and Commissioner Johannes HAHN to present the Western Balkans Strategy
- European Parliament’s Plenary session on 06/02/2018
- Opening statement by Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC, and Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations
- MEPs debate
- Closing statement by Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement NegotiationsToday, the European Commission announced six flagship initiatives – specific actions that the EU will take over the next years to support the transformation efforts of the Western Balkans in areas of mutual interest. These range from initiatives to strengthen the rule of law, reinforced cooperation on security and migration through joint investigating teams and the European Border and coast guard, expanding the EU Energy Union to the Western Balkans or lowering roaming charges and rolling out broadband in the region. The Strategy also underlines the need for the EU to be prepared to welcome new members once they have met the criteria.
- Publications
- As President Juncker announced in his 2017 State of the Union address, the Commission adopted on 6 February a strategy for ‘A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans’ (and the Annex with Action PlanSearch for available translations of the preceding link•••), confirming the European future of the region as a geostrategic investment in a stable, strong and united Europe based on common values. It spells out the priorities and areas of joint reinforced cooperation, addressing the specific challenges the Western Balkans face, in particular the need for fundamental reforms and good neighbourly relations. A credible enlargement perspective requires sustained efforts and irreversible reforms. Progress along the European path is an objective and merit-based process which depends on the concrete results achieved by each individual country.
- Western Balkans Strategy: Next stepsSearch for available translations of the preceding link••• – Six flagship initiativesSearch for available translations of the preceding link••• – Enlargement criteriaSearch for available translations of the preceding link••• – EU – Western Balkans relationsSearch for available translations of the preceding link•••
- Country fiches: Albania – Bosnia and Herzegovina – the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – Kosovo – Montenegro – Serbia
- Enlargement of the European Union
- Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA): An investment in Europe – an investment in rule of law, agriculture, economic development, public administration and social development
Western Balkans in figures:
Video library
Understanding the enlargement process:
- How Does it Work
- Ensuring the Rule of Law
- Reforming Public Administration
- What is a Stabilisation and Association Agreement?
- What is the importance of Economic Governance?
- The benefits of regional cooperation
So similar, so different, so European:
Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA):
- An investment in Europe
- Albania – An investment in transport
- Albania – An investment in rule of law
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – An investment in freedom of expression
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – An investment in rule of law
- The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – An investment in energy
- Kosovo – An investment in environment
- Montenegro – An investment in small enterprises
- Serbia – An investment in energy efficiency
- Serbia – An investment in transport safety
Thematic videos:
- Ensuring freedom of expression in the pre-accession countries
- The fundamental role of on-line and traditional media in accession countries
- Western Balkans: Building Networks, Connecting People
- Better future for Roma
- Changing the public perception of LGBTI People
Discover the Western Balkans with their celebrities:
- Albania with Ermonela Jaho
- Bosnia and Herzegovina with Amira Medunjanin
- The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with Nikola Eftimov
- Kosovo with Majlinda Kelmendi
- Montenegro with Janko Ljumović
- Serbia with Miloš Milisavljević
Focus on EU Enlargement – An academic point of view:
