EU Enlargement Strategy Deepened

On February 6th, the European Commission presented the new strategy for European Union enlargement. In determining the priorities on which to intervene and a well defined path with a clear perspective of integration, the European Commission puts the keys to success or failure in the hands of six Western Balkan countries. In fact, since its inauguration in 2014, the Commission, headed by Jean-Claude Juncker, had somewhat cooled prospects for expansion with new members, focusing on the consolidation of the European Union.

Surprisingly, in last September, in his speech on the state of the European Union, Juncker renewed the topic of enlargement in the Western Balkans, boosting the possibility of Serbia and Montenegro's integration by 2025. The commission later presented the new strategy, meanwhile, since late February, Juncker will visit Balkan countries, which are not yet EU members. The new strategy confirms the European perspective for the Western Balkans and highlights the priorities to follow.

First, the Commission notes that a number of issues like this one. The independence of the judiciary, corruption, lack of transparency, politicisation of the administrative device and attacks on media independence still raise serious doubts about consolidating rule of law in all countries of the region. In this context, strategic commitment is reaffirmed to open the first negotiating chapters (23 and 24) regarding justice and fundamental rights.

Second, the region's economies -- defined as uncompetitive and inappropriate to the pressures of the common European market -- are a concern.

Recently, the Commission underlines the need for reconciliation in the region. Given the mistake made with the territorial dispute in the Gulf of Piranos between Slovenia and Croatia, the European Commission warns countries of the region with particular emphasis on normalising relations between Pristina and Belgrade that any bilateral dispute must be resolved permanently and binding, ahead of EU accession.

The European Commission aims to support the candidate countries' efforts by increasing the funding of the Instrument for Membership (IPA), increasing the participation of Western Balkan countries in EU policies and developing six specific initiatives regarding strengthening the rule of law, closer co-operation in terms of security and migration; greater support for economic development; increased inter-Balkan and EU ties; launching a digital agenda; and finally, a strong support for reconciliation.

The most interesting projects include consultancy and monitoring missions on judicial issues, doubling Erasmus+ funds, lowering roaming costs and expanding broadband. The European Commission gives Serbia and Montenegro two countries that have already begun to negotiate accession, the role of the leader, with the ambitious possibility of their EU integration for 2025. The route of both Slavic countries will serve as a point of reference to other countries in the area that, by engaging, will have the opportunity to reach them. The identification of a desired accession date is intended to stimulate government progress and secure a platform for political forces, which say they want to achieve the goals set by the Commission.

In addition to Serbia and Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia are candidate countries, while the EU is praising Bosnia and Herzegovina's candidacy and Kosovo has ratified the association agreement. To support Balkan integration, the European Commission also underlines a strategy within the EU, aware that supporting enlargement with other countries is not unanimous among member states and that 47% of EU citizens are against it. For these reasons, the Commission repeatedly highlights economic benefits and geopolitical and security interests, related to the integration of the Western Balkans.

Geopolitical reasons and willingness to respond to increased Russian, Turkish and Chinese influence are clearly based on strategy, so much so that the Commission requires future member states “a full extension towards common foreign and security policy”. Moreover, the Commission aims to adopt two new initiatives to prepare the European Union itself for integration with new members. In particular, the first initiative would like to boost foreign policy areas in which it would be possible to make qualified majority decisions of member states in order to avoid potential vetos.

While the second initiative, with clear reference to the situation in Poland, aims to simplify the use of Article 7 of the European Union treaty, in the event of a threat to rule of law in a member state. Recent proposals are related to the broader process of consolidation and strengthening of the EU after Brex. In view of this, the enlargement policy has been used by the Commission to force unity among member states, the specificity of foreign policy and to increase the power of the Commission, by respecting the fundamental values of the Union.

Likewise, declaring that “joining the EU is a choice of the new generation, based on fundamental values, that each state should embrace in a much more active way, from its own foreign and regional policies to what is taught in school for children”, the new Commission strategy aims to wipe out all hypocrisy and crucify Western Balkan states in its responsibilities. Under these conditions, the new EU enlargement strategy risks being interpreted as an ultimatum.