EU to truly become Balkan now

The Western Balkans are in almost every respect a madness at least from Brussels' perspective. Serbia's relations with Kosovo resemble cold war

This is called a real dilemma. Of course, six European candidates in the EU waiting room are as far from Brussels' standards as a German oil engine from gas limits. But to wait until the mini and Balkan micro-states meet EU norms, this would be a gift to the Chinese. They don't ask about rule of law and don't bother corruption. They invest and lend loans to the Balkans, which for Western Europe is contaminated even by name. But for this one below.

All region of powder barrels

Even the very fact that the <x0 Romanians” have already arrived in the Balkans, explains why the EU abandons its previous route. Because after Bulgaria and Romania's hasty accession in 2007, it promised not to expand in the future in width but in depth. First, relationships with new Oriental members must be strengthened. This tenor is now apparently forgotten. “With strong political will for reform implementation,” writes today the Commission, “Serbia and Montenegro should be compatible with the EU by 2025. A perfect wish, if not a naive one.
The fact is, seeing the Western Balkans Day is in almost every respect a madness at least from Brussels' perspective. Serbia's relations with Kosovo resemble a cold war. In Republika Srpska Belgrade intervenes almost squarely, destabilising a country that is the worst in the region, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Macedonia is arguing with Greece over the name, and in almost all Balkan republics, nationalism and corruption flourish. And right there the EU wants the European flag to wave within a few years. Pretty brave.

China gives credit and builds, EU makes demands

But the EU has to do this, because if bad “children in Europe's periphery will not become members of the Brussels firm, they will probably go in another direction soon. To the east, that is. Far east.
China does not apply for rule of law, smiles for deficits of democracy, for EU bureaucratics carefully filling forms and repeat ritual criticism. China makes facts. It builds bridges and steel plants in Serbia, airports in Albania, car factories in Hungary and ports in Greece. As a reward for such rapidly implemented investments, Beijing requires more than a sincere thanks: it expects political gratitude. In short: Loans to and construction projects on the eastern side of the EU, including future member states, are enabling government Beijing in the EU right now.
Political influence is already visible. In the states of Visegrad, Beijing's authoritarian style is estimated. Beijing provides no instruction and instruction at the Prague or Budapest address as Brussels does. From the point of view of recipients, the account is quite simple: China gives quickly and without democratic preconditions, it creates facts. Brussels, on the other hand, is too slow to act as a teacher.

EU looking for prospects amid crisis

Therefore, the Brussels Commission has good reason to fear China's commitment to the EU court. China sees an maneuver station for its new Silk Road in Eastern and Southeast Europe. This cannot be in the interest of Europeans. But EU integration efforts for its bad neighbours from Southeast Europe are taking place amid the crisis. Poland, Hungary, Chekhia and Slovaks have long formed a group against Brussels within the EU. They also have strong economic growth, which cannot be said of new countries in the south. Integration, however, has much to do with economic convergence. The six new EU family members “project therefore remains an illusion at the moment.
There will also be no changes, even though Brussels repeatedly mentions democracy or rule of law. In the West, it is often forgotten that in those countries, generations that have grown up in Communism are still at significant points in power. As we know, it was replaced by a time of nationalism, which in general is still very determining. The old EU and the new EU are certainly one together, but they just don't fit in with each other.

DW Editored by Periscope