DW: Rama, authorities who abuse power

The EU's promise of the integration of the Western Balkans has so far not been fulfilled. This promotes autocrats in the region. The fight against Ukraine is making even clearer than the membership process is important.

In the summer of 2003, 20 years ago, the heads of the EU and Balkan governments of the states met in the vicinity of Thessaloniki. What has become routine since then was an important signal. The countries of the Western Balkans, characterised by war, the dissolution of the state and authoritarian regimes, must have their future in the EU. This promise was to mark the transition from postwar to a phase of hope towards the European future, but it actually did not.

The region's problems could not be solved only with the promise of future EU membership. As mediator, the EU results were modest. The EU failed to make Bosnia and Herzegovina return to a state that has functional structures, as well as failed to limit destructive ethnicity. Even over ten years of mediation in dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo have not achieved sustainable successes. At the same time, nationalism and historical revisionism are more pronounced today than in 2003. In short, the post-war period resembles that of the pre-war.

At the same time, optimism in the EU is on the decline. Initially, a European constitution failed in referenda in France and the Netherlands. Since the economic and financial crisis 2007/2008 The EU is facing from one crisis to another, as long as there seems to be no time for ambitious plans. Only Croatia has managed since then to join the EU. For the other six countries to whom membership was offered then, the road continues to stay long.

Enlargement cuts have never been this long

Never since 50 years ago The EU has not postponed so much the interruption of the enlargement process. Since the membership of Ireland, Denmark and Great Britain in 1973, the pace of EU enlargement has been less than ten years, when new group countries have been admitted. But now by Thessaloniki's promise, 20 years have passed, even since Croatia's recent membership, ten years have passed and no new member is expected in the coming years, this long break is no surprise, because the six countries in the Western Balkans continue to wait as Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia expect.

But the process is not advancing. In Turkey, responsibility mainly rests on authoritarian President Erdogan. In the Western Balkans, there are also authoritarian heads of states or governments, who remain in power like Erdogan with the tactics of power, while only empty words for EU membership. Serbia's President Aleksandar Vuciq mostly follows Erdogan's example, maintains relations with Russia, with Turkey, as well as with China and the Gulf States, not to be heavily dependent on Europe.

No response to the spread of the Ottomans

Other autocrats, from Bosniak entity's strong man, Reublica Srpska, Milorad Dodik, to Albania's prime minister, Edi Rama, have different reports with the EU, but all can live under the shadow of EU enlargement. Some like Dodik, positioned as anti-Western provising, flirting with Putin and trying to undermine peace on the other hand in the region. Others like Rama rely on The EU, but abuse their personal power.

The EU does not have an answer to the spread of autocratia. Some such as Dodik, though criticised, may breed and echo not only from Moscow but also within the EU. The EU often becomes involved in short-term promises.

Prime Minister Vuciq always manages to sell himself as a fireman to put out the fires he burns. The EU in this case often turns to implications, turning its attention to attacks against media freedom and authorities in the Western Balkans.

EU-No More hopefuls

EU membership and a pledge conditioned to the rule of law and democracy have long since been no longer defining themes. For the EU, the management of crises, beyond the values of either migration through this region or even to limit Russia's influence. Even in the region, the EU is no longer considered a hopeful host. In many demonstrations against environmental destruction and violence and democracy, which continue not only in Serbia, the EU flags are no longer waved. The EU and its member states have made pacts with autocrats, the union has long been no longer considered a symbol of a democratic future.

Florian Bieber, professor of Southeast European history and politics at the University of Graz in Austria. Photo: Uni Graz

How it can go further, we have recently defined this in the Balkans group in Europe the Policy Advisory Group ( B EPAG): EU enlargement since 2022 is no longer a process for the Western Balkans but also for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, as well as potentially for states like Georgia. This gives the process renewed political importance. This means that states must have a planned future in the EU, without abusing veto rights by EU members, as practiced by Bulgaria in the case of Northern Macedonia.

Quitting the concept of stabilisation

More money is needed for future members to ease the growing differences between members of the union and those countries that will join. Democracy and the rule of law should remain the focus of enlargement. The current enlargement commissioner, Oliver Varhely, as Victor Orban's protracted arm undermines the EU's trust towards Western Balkan countries, but also Ukraine. That's why it takes an extra-weight commissioner with a more appropriate background.

Also, the EU must not continue to give up democracy in the Balkans for the sake of an alleged stability or co-operation against Russia. The region's Stabilcrats -- that is, the autocrats -- who sell to the EU the promise of stability in exchange for democracy -- must be exposed, primarily Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq.

The Promise of Thessaloniki Also Important to Ukraine

How difficult this is, the fact shows, that a coauthor of our study, Jovana Marovic, former European Integration Minister for Montenegro, was arrested at Belgrade airport on August 23rd and refused travel to Serbia. It, according to Serbian authorities, presented “risk for security”. Such a practice towards politicians from neighbouring countries of Serbia is not new with this Vucinq has opened a new stage of escalation, not only to Montenegro, whose independence Serbia has never accepted but also throughout the Western Balkan region.

There is a new set of proposals for enlargement methods, but in the end none will work if political will is lacking. The EU must be ready to accept the states of the Western Balkans if they meet the terms.

If the EU fails to integrate it into the Western Balkans, then it sounds unconvincing to every promise of membership in Ukraine. In short, it is much more endangered than just an old promise 20 years ago, which has so far not been observed.

*Florian Bieber is professor of Southeast European history and politics at the University of Graz in Austria. He runs Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group ( B EPAG). His book on the “Balkani barrel powderite” will soon be published by the Christoph Links publishing house in Berlin