The European Union and the Western Balkans

• Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies
• GGP: Global Governance Programme

A 'Europe in the World' research seminar which will analyse the European Union’s ability to grow into a geopolitical power through regional enlargement to its immediate neighbourhood, the Western Balkans.

This presentation analyses the European Union’s ability to grow into a geopolitical power through regional enlargement to its immediate neighbourhood, the Western Balkans. Beshku explores how this approach –as reflected in the pragmatic and inclusive Enlargement Policy– may affect both the future of the EU in the world and the Region of the Western Balkans. Using this region as a case study –with particular focus on Albania and North Macedonia– Beshku examines how the EU and some of its member states view the Western Balkans, and whether this area is considered a mere periphery of little importance or a strategic area for the EU’s border policy.  

The rationale for this research lies within the drawn-out decision of the European Council (2018-2020) to open access negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, and the recent hesitation to hold an Intergovernmental Conference with them (2021). Beshku gives a new perspective on the EU’s Foreign Policy field by confronting the European Commission’s positive avis with the vetoes of some of its member states –France, Netherlands, Denmark and recently Bulgaria– within the European Council. The analysis takes into account the current momentum of great ‘contestation’ to the EU in the region by Russia, China and the Arab Countries. 

Zoom link will be sent upon registration.

Deadline for registration: 26 May @ 5pm.