Bulgaria, the EU’s poorest member state, wants to set a clearer path towards membership for its fellow Western Balkans in an effort to prevent more instability in one of the most volatile regions in the world. Countries such as Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina are all seeking approval to join the EU and they want a more transparent set of guidelines how they can achieve it.
In a decade that included the Greek debt crisis and Brexit, the Balkan region wants to change the focus of the EU from crisis management to enlargement. “We can’t change Europe’s agenda in six months, but we should be able to give to each of these countries a clear action plan based on their achievements and progress in resolving their problems,” Pavlova, Minister in charge of Bulgaria’s EU Council Presidency said. “Otherwise the rifts between the regions would deepen.”
Slovenia, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria are the only countries from the ex-communist region to have achieved EU entry. This comes 20 years after the end of the conflict that marked the 1990’s. Romania and Bulgaria remain the poorest countries and have been criticized for not being able to tackle corruption and the judiciary. The rest of the Western Balkans seem to have been stuck trying to decide if they want to prioritise joining the EU or maintaining relations with Russia.
The Serbian goal for EU entry in 2020 is dependent on their relationship with Kosovo. Currently they fail to recognise Kosovo as an independent nation.
Following a leadership change, the Republic of Macedonia renewed its EU efforts. However, they still must resolve the name dispute with Greece.
Bosnia has a long way to go. Before they can be considered for entry, public administration must be strengthened.
