Solidarity Beyond Borders: EU Enlargement in the Western Balkans Vlad Șipoș*1 around a common goal. If the “individuals” are the member states, and European peace Abstract and prosperity are the “common goal”, it could be argued that solidarity is the defining Solidarity is the defining feature of the feature of the European Union. Indeed, the European Union. While it exists between EU constantly takes action in order to member states, should it not also go ensure that member countries and their beyond EU borders? This article argues citizens feel included in the Union. Since that it should, namely be more 1992, over 50 % of European citizens feel cooperation between member states and countries wishing to accede. This would included and only in five member countries make the negotiation process highly does this number fall under 50 % effective, while also fuelling the diesire of (Eurobarometer, 2013). On top of this, EU states to welcome new members and every decision taken by the European that of acceding countries to participate in Commission is for the overall benefit of the the project. community created over sixty years ago. Even after Brexit, the EU looks like a unified entity. But, what about its enlargement? Introduction After all, the purpose of the union was to ensure continental peace and prosperity, Solidarity is defined as a bond of unity or and yet most countries in the Western agreement between individuals, united Balkans are not members, even though * Vlad Șipoș is a student Colegiul Național Bănățean in Timișoara, Romania. All the opinions expressed in this briefing are the sole view of the author, and do not represent the position of the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA). Solidarity Beyond Borders: Vlad Șipoș EU Enlargement in the Western Balkans some have been waiting for years to be The previously mentioned delay in the accepted. With this in mind, should accession process is generally caused by the solidarity not go beyond EU borders? This difficulties these countries are experiencing is the question that will be addressed in this in meeting the Copenhagen criteria, a series brief. Furthermore, it will be argued that the of economic, political and legislative reforms process of admission can be accelerated that need to be implemented in order for the through more cooperation among member country to be ready to join the EU. While states and will study some current cases to the economic and political criteria mostly emphasize the effectiveness of the revised mean a free-market economy and a stable process. democracy where everyone’s rights are respected, the legislative changes are divided North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and into thirty-five chapters (European Montenegro are Western Balkan countries Commission, 2016). Currently, Montenegro that have been waiting for over a decade to and Serbia find themselves still at the very join the EU (Timsit, 2019) and they beginning of the legislative reforms. Being probably are the countries most likely to join ex-communist countries, it comes as no in the next ten years (Heath, 2016). surprise that they have a rough time in trying Although for now, more people want their to bring about change. High levels of country to join the EU than not, in all of corruption are the main reason (European these states, support is slowly decreasing as, Western Balkans, 2019). Also, a significant naturally, the longer the wait, the harder it percentage of the population living in rural becomes for advocates to sustain enthusiasm areas (ibid.), with arguably limited access to (Bjelotomic, 2018). information and little incentive to support But, before analysing the aforementioned new political movements, is a cause as well. issue, it is important to look at incentives, as Therefore, what they need is help, and not they are the ones that fuel each side’s desire just the financial aid that the EU is giving to cooperate. In the case of the aspiring them (Bjelotomic, 2020). countries, it is quite clear that they seek the Hungarian commissioner for Enlargement benefits that the EU offers to their economy Olivér Várhelyi has recently proposed a way and their citizens. On the other hand, the to help these states by sending experts from European Union’s incentive is to gain member states to monitor the reform influence into a new geographical area and process in Western Balkan countries expand. On top of this, they face (Eszter, 2020). Serbia’s president competition from China, who wants to gain Aleksandar Vučić stated his agreement with influence in Europe. The fact that Serbian the proposal after a meeting with Várhelyi Minister for Construction Zorana Mihajlovic (RFE.RL, 2020). While these are good stated that “It would not be immodest or news, it certainly could go further by being wrong to call Serbia China’s main partner in even clearer and more helpful for aspiring Europe” (Timsit, 2019) should be a matter countries: what these states need is not only of concern for EU leaders and a good closer oversight, but guidance. Highly enough motive to put more effort in helping developed countries in the EU such as the aspiring states even more. Germany, France and Belgium should send experts to advise their counterparts in how Solidarity Beyond Borders: Vlad Șipoș EU Enlargement in the Western Balkans certain areas such as transport, energy and Western Balkan countries might see this education can be improved in order to meet process as an infringement of the nation’s EU standards. Moreover, states that have sovereignty or that the human resource is recently gone through the same process such too expensive for the EU. Firstly, with as Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania can offer regards to the former, it should be counter support as well. argued that being part of the European Union implies losing some sovereignty, EU officials can check each chapter after the which is beneficial because it ensures peace. experts decide the country is ready for On top of that, after years of a planned evaluation. Because these officials are also economy, perhaps it is desirable to join a sent by the EU, there is a much higher continental free market that will ensure a rise chance that the standard required is the in GDP. Secondly, regarding the latter same in both the officials’ and the experts’ potential issue, this investment, as well as the eyes. Therefore, in a short amount of time, financial one the EU is already making (EU the aspiring nation should be ready to move Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, 2020) on to the following chapter and repeat the are made with the purpose of expanding the process. However, in the case of countries Common Market in the Western Balkans. that have not yet been granted the title of The costs of the investment are arguably “candidate for membership” such as Bosnia exceeded by the benefits, such as the & Herzegovina or Kosovo, this should not opportunity of an enlarged, more united be applied. Its leaders need to answer all the European Union. But, what if these questions in the EU questionnaire before countries fail to cooperate or successfully the state can be considered a candidate, but implement recommended changes? In that they have failed to do so on two occasions. case, the EU is in the position to stop In these kinds of cases, countries need to providing help, in order to give the solve constitutional and other internal respective state’s officials a motive to problems before receiving aid from the EU. cooperate, as their chances to join the Union The effect of this change would not only be could be in serious jeopardy. to accelerate the process, but also to offer the citizens hope that their country is, at some point, going to join the EU. This is necessary Countries need to solve as they are starting to lose hope, with 28 % constitutional and other internal of people in the Western Balkan region problems before receiving aid from admitting that they think their countries will the EU never join the Union (Simić, 2017). Furthermore, citizens will also benefit from constitutional, taxation, educational and other reforms. It seems, therefore, that Finally, in order to provide some evidence nations in general, their citizens in particular, for the applicability of this proposal, Serbia and even the EU would benefit from this act can serve as a case study. In its case, there is of solidarity. a considerable obstacle beyond completing People who are against this proposition the negotiation process to joining the EU, would probably argue that citizens of the namely the conflict with Kosovo. Serbian officials are yet to recognize Kosovo as an Solidarity Beyond Borders: Vlad Șipoș EU Enlargement in the Western Balkans independent state and will not do so until countries then, had the incentive to quickly given EU membership (Heath, 2016). The solve their differences. Such situations negotiation looks stuck in a state of where conflicts between countries prevent uncertainty on both sides, as Serbia tries to one or both of them from acceding to the uphold its interests and the EU to defend its EU do occur, and can now be more values. The solution in this case is, in my efficiently untangled. Nations that look far view, to complete the negotiation process from joining the EU at the moment can take first, leaving this problem to be solved last. small steps towards beginning negotiations Therefore, Serbian Officials will have an and someday becoming part of the Union, incentive to recognize Kosovo, as it is the last with the assistance of member countries. step towards being part of the Union, the To conclude, the existence of a union of only obstacle left in the way.