СТАТИИ

The enlargement of the European Union (EU) is an absolute priority for most of the member-states and the EU institutions, as it is seen as the main guarantor of peace, security and stability on the continent. At the same time, reaching a consensus regarding the enlargement policy towards the countries from the Western Balkans turns out to be particularly difficult. In response to the challenges in the efforts to reach an agreement, the European Commission has published a new “enlargement methodology”, according to which the candidates will not only need to synchronise their legislations with the EU standards, but they must show real results and reforms. This declaration by itself proves the existence of a recognised problem with the current approach to enlargement and the need for a radical change due to its unsuitability. The fragile consensus on this new agenda also shows that the enlargement policy has yet to be developed, changed and improved. In this context, the lessons learnt from the Eastern enlargement become particularly valuable.