Europe and the Western Balkans: Dull Reality and Unrealistic Expectations

The author argues that EU enlargement in the Western Balkans has stalled due to a 'dull reality' where local leaders benefit from the status quo and the EU lacks the political will or understanding to enforce genuine rule of law. The Berlin Process is critiqued as a 'plan B' that prioritised technical compliance over substantive reform. The document highlights specific failures in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania, while warning that an economic and strategic vacuum is being filled by China, Russia, Turkey, and the USA. It further expresses concern over Croatia's 2020 EU presidency given its nationalist tendencies and strained relations with neighbours.

• The EU accession process for the Western Balkans has slowed significantly, with local leaders resisting integration because EU membership would require a functioning judiciary and reduced corruption, which would threaten their power based on "disorganisation, profiteering, corruption, and a paralysed state."
• The Berlin Process, initiated in 2014 to support regional integration, is described as a "plan B" that focused on "formal and technical adherence" and paperwork rather than addressing the actual reality of the rule of law in the Balkans.
• Specific obstacles to accession persist across the region: Bosnia and Herzegovina is blocked by nationalist parties and a weak judiciary; Montenegro faces widespread high-level corruption; Serbia is hindered by the issue of Kosovo's recognition; North Macedonia's talks were halted by France; and Albania is obstructed by internal corruption and the influence of the mafia.
• A strategic and economic vacuum created by the EU's lack of progress is being filled by external powers, with China filling the economic void "with no resistance whatsoever" and Russia, Turkey, and the USA exerting increasing geopolitical influence.
• The author expresses concern that Croatia's 2020 EU presidency may be compromised by its "internal radicalisation of the right" and its "unacceptable interference" in the internal affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

APA

Dizdarević, Z. (2019). Europe and the Western Balkans: Dull Reality and Unrealistic Expectations. Green European Journal. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/europe-and-the-western-balkans-dull-reality-and-unrealistic-expectations/

Chicago

Dizdarević, Zlatko. Europe and the Western Balkans: Dull Reality and Unrealistic Expectations. Green European Journal, 2019. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/europe-and-the-western-balkans-dull-reality-and-unrealistic-expectations/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Dizdarević |first1=Zlatko |title=Europe and the Western Balkans: Dull Reality and Unrealistic Expectations |publisher=Green European Journal |date=8 November 2019 |url=https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/europe-and-the-western-balkans-dull-reality-and-unrealistic-expectations/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{dizdarevi2019europe, author = {Dizdarević, Zlatko}, title = {{Europe and the Western Balkans: Dull Reality and Unrealistic Expectations}}, institution = {Green European Journal}, year = {2019}, month = nov, url = {https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/europe-and-the-western-balkans-dull-reality-and-unrealistic-expectations/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }