EU to go special - Towards Enlargement

In this engaging discussion, Johannes Lindner, co-director of the Jacques Delors Centre, and Thu Nguyen, deputy director at the same institution, dive into the financial intricacies of EU enlargement. They debunk sensational cost estimates, advocating for a more balanced outlook on funding candidate countries like Ukraine. The duo also explores institutional reforms crucial for accommodating new members and debates innovative membership structures, highlighting the need for a cohesive and secure future for an expanding union.

In the second episode of Henrik Enderlein Fellow Besa Shahini’s podcast miniseries exploring the EU accession process in the Western Balkans and the lessons for EU enlargement policy, she discusses the EU’s rule of law focus within candidate countries, based on the example of Albania, with Dr Andi Hoxhaj OBE, Lecturer in Law at University College London. The rule of law is not only a precondition for EU accession but has become the cornerstone of EU-Western Balkan relations. Together with Dr Hoxhaj, who was appointed as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours List 2024 for his contributions to UK and Albania relations, Besa Shahini inquires what lessons can be drawn from the Albanian example and its rule of law reform. Assessing the process Albania has undergone so far and where it stands today, as well as the merits and shortcomings of its special anti-corruption structure (SPAK). They discuss why Albania, as the seeming reformer, is still stuck on its path to EU accession and how to guarantee respect for the rule of law not only in candidate countries but also beyond member states’ accession to the EU. You can find more information on our topics on X , Instagram or our website Webseite

In the third episode of Henrik Enderlein Fellow Besa Shahini’s podcast miniseries exploring the EU accession process in the Western Balkans and the lessons for EU enlargement policy, she talks to Adnan (Adi) Ćerimagić, Senior Analyst for the Western Balkans at ESI, about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s long-drawn path to EU accession and its problematic constitutional setup. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession seemed out of reach for over three decades. The EU imposed an electoral and constitutional reform as the precondition for opening accession talks, only to give them the green light earlier this year despite the reform not having been implemented yet. In this episode, Besa Shahini asks, if accession talks could ultimately begin without the reform, why was this not done years ago? To answer this question, she is joined by Adnan (Adi) Ćerimagić, Senior Analyst for the Western Balkans at ESI, who previously worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo and Brussels. Together, they discuss the problematic constitutional setup which discriminates against parts of the population from running in elections and the difficulties to undergo any meaningful reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina without a credible EU accession process. You can find more information on our topics on X , Instagram or our website Webseite

In the fourth episode of Henrik Enderlein Fellow Besa Shahini’s podcast miniseries exploring the EU accession process in the Western Balkans and the lessons for EU enlargement policy, she is joined by Agon Maliqi, a political analyst from Kosovo, and Frauke Seebass, “Balkan Hub” project manager at the German Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss the need for recognition of Kosovo’s independence, essential for EU accession. The issue of non-recognition vis-à-vis Kosovo’s independence, paired with a lack of commitment by the EU to advance the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, has barred Kosovo’s way to progress. In this episode, Besa Shahini discusses with her guests Agon Maliqi, political analyst and media writer from Kosovo and Frauke Seebass, the “Balkan Hub” project manager at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), how the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and the accession process are unbreakably linked. They assess the ongoing dilemma that no progress can be made towards EU accession as long as there is no deal with Serbia, the loss of credibility the EU has suffered within the region, and the resilience Kosovo displays despite the absence of credible prospects for EU membership. You can find more information on our topics on X , Instagram or our website Webseite

In the fifth episode of Henrik Enderlein Fellow Besa Shahini’s podcast miniseries exploring the EU accession process in the Western Balkans and the lessons for EU enlargement policy, she asks if Montenegro, the current accession front-runner, could break away from the Western Balkan Six and serve as a model for EU accession policy and practice. She is joined by Frauke Seebass, “Balkan Hub” project manager at the German Council on Foreign Relations and Jovana Marović, former deputy prime minister and former minister of European affairs in Montenegro. Since gaining independence in 2006 and EU “candidate country” status in 2010, Montenegro is considered the front-runner among Western Balkan states in the European integration process and is expected to become the next European member state. Together with Frauke Seebass, “Balkan Hub” project manager at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and Jovana Marović, member of Balkans in Europe Policy Group and former deputy prime minister and former minister of European affairs in Montenegro, she explores the current state of Montenegro’s accession progress and how it could inspire other countries in the Western Balkan region to progress with their reforms. You can find more information on our topics on X , Instagram or our website Webseite

In the sixth episode of Henrik Enderlein Fellow Besa Shahini’s podcast miniseries exploring the EU accession process in the Western Balkans and the lessons for EU enlargement policy, she talks to Wouter Zweers, research fellow at Clingendael's EU & Global Affairs Unit, and Lura Pollozhani, researcher at the University of Graz, about North Macedonia’s troubled path towards EU accession: Once considered a front-runner, the country lost its reform momentum due to the continuous blocking of its road towards EU accession. After a period of hope and reforms, North Macedonia faces both social and political stagnation. Despite resolving the long-standing dispute with Greece over the name Macedonia – not least because it was required to unlock the EU accession process – North Macedonia has not yet started accession talks with the EU even though it finally received the green light back in 2020. In this episode, Besa Shahini first talks to Wouter Zweers, research fellow at Clingendael's EU & Global Affairs Unit and coordinator of Clingendael’s “Balkan Hub”, about the intergovernmental process of EU enlargement. Followed by a discussion with Lura Pollozhani researcher at the University of Graz and former adviser to the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, on North Macedonia’s recent past and its internal disgruntlement. You can find more information on our topics on X , Instagram or our website Webseite

In the seventh of Henrik Enderlein Fellow Besa Shahini’s podcast miniseries exploring the EU accession process in the Western Balkans and the lessons for EU enlargement policy, she is joined by Milena Mihajlović, co-founder and programme director of the European Policy Centre (CEP) to discuss Serbia’s path to EU accession and the Belgrade-based think tank’s proposals aiming to improve and give momentum to the EU accession process. Recent developments in Serbia, marked by democratic setbacks, have raised concerns about double standards and inconsistencies in upholding accession standards across all candidate countries. Equally of concern is Serbia’s unresolved relationship with Kosovo, which has been obstructing deeper regional relations among Western Balkan states and barring the way to EU accession. In this episode, Besa Shahini talks to Milena Mihajlović, co-founder and programme director of the Belgrade-based think tank European Policy Centre (CEP), about Serbia’s progress towards EU accession. They discuss her think tank’s proposal of “staged accession” and the need for a consistent methodology in the accession process to guarantee a unified approach across all candidate countries. You can find more information on our topics on X , Instagram or our website Webseite

In this informative discussion, Richard Grieveson, the Deputy Director at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies and member of the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group, dives deep into the economic transformation spurred by EU accession. He reveals how foreign direct investment and EU funds have propelled growth in newer member states. Grieveson outlines challenges facing the Western Balkans, emphasizing the need for governance reforms and better integration policies. He warns about the rising influence of China in the region as EU support stagnates.