A ‘Credible’ EU Strategy for Balkans Expansion

Finally, the EU is getting serious about the Western Balkans. At least, that's the implication of its new strategy for the region, aptly titled “A credible enlargement perspective for an enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans.” Its name is a tacit admission that the old policy, launched in 2003, lacked credibility. The old way promised Brussels' unequivocal support for the Western Balkans' accession, but that never materialized (except in the case of Croatia). Missing were solutions to problems like the rule of law, basic human rights, intra-regional cooperation and macroeconomic stability. This time, the EU will coordinate with NATO to increase its influence in the region. In fact, at the same time that Brussels released its new strategy document, NATO was discussing its own enlargement process in the region. Macedonia and potentially Bosnia could receive membership invitations as soon as this year.