[MLE] Berlin Process: What’s next for Western Balkans?
When discussing the current state of affairs in the Berlin Process and its immediate future, one must look back at the origins of the initiative. It was born in times when Enlargement process, speaking...
View ArticleCivil society and the EU integration process: Key importance, little impact?
The context of civic engagement in the EU integration process has changed through the past enlargements significantly. The process is becoming longer and there seems to be no guarantee of the EU...
View ArticlePoland, Serbia and Russia: Strategic misunderstanding
On 1 September 1st, the ceremony marked the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II in the city of Wielun in Central Poland. Very symbolically, along with President Andrzej Duda stood the...
View ArticleElections in Kosovo – A breeze of hope or a bursting bubble?
On the 6th of October, the citizens of Kosovo will head towards hundreds of polling stations. Unlike other Sundays, this one will be special. On this day, citizens will decide the course of their...
View Article[BSF] Belgrade-Pristina: What stands in the way of agreement?
The process of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina so far has not led to the resolution of the disputed status and legal implementation of an agreement. Therefore, the main question I take as a...
View Article[BSF] We can’t tell you what to do, but we can tell you what not to do
To agree to have normal relations – a simple notion presuming parties want it and have freedom to set their own terms of what is the joint minimum that constitutes normal. When it comes to...
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Brussel’s hot potato: New Kosovo Government and the dialogue with Serbia
For the fourth consecutive time in less than ten years, Kosovo citizens faced early elections, this time after former PM Ramush Haradinaj abruptly resigned after being invited for questioning by Kosovo...
View Article[BSF] Five Points on the Belt&Road
To improve our understanding of China’s Belt&Road and what it means for Europe and the Balkans, we need to take a step back, rethink and reframe some of the core pillars of the debate on the debate...
View Article[BSF] Kosovo-Serbia: moving from stalemate to detoriation?
France’s decision to block accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia are a signal that it wants to end the European Union’s enlargement to the Balkans. Macron is using the UK’s exit and Merkel’s...
View ArticlePutting Kosovo on EU’s map: A short (and easy) guide for the new government
Kosovo’s path towards EU hasn’t been easy nor fast. Since Thessaloniki summit back in 2003, when for the first time EU promised to Kosovo an undefined “European perspective”, the relations between the...
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Caught in a vicious circle: how corrosive capital perpetuates state capture...
For people studying, investigating and living corruption in the Western Balkans, the most frustrating aspect is its resilience. In spite of the great work done by investigative journalists and civil...
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What if France were nonetheless unlocking strategic opportunities?
The French decision to oppose the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia has caused much discontent all over Europe. France has been accused of committing a “historical...
View ArticleThe EU’s emerging unpredictability and consequences for peacebuilding efforts...
France-led opposition this October to following the recommendation of the European Commission to open accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia has created confusion, anger and...
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The French have got it wrong: An eccentric counterproposal
France’s assessment that EU enlargement has not been functioning for a while is not wrong. However, its proposal outlined in the leaked non-paper would exacerbate rather than resolve enlargement’s...
View ArticleFrom crisis to opportunity: Harnessing the potential of the French proposals
Over the past couple of days, the discourse on the Western Balkans’ EU accession has been dominated by discussion of the (in)famous French non-paper, finally explaining the thinking behind the changes...
View ArticleAn EU Membership for the Balkans Named Desire
The article was originally published on BiEPAG blog. We have entered an unusually fruitful period when it comes to ideas on the sorely needed revitalisation of the European Union’s enlargement policy....
View ArticleLetter to Macron: Details matter for enlargement reform
The article was originally published on EPC website. Dear President Macron, You are right! A renewed approach to the European Union (EU)’s enlargement towards the Balkans is necessary to help the...
View ArticleFrontex and the Western Balkans: A new actor on the external border of the EU
Passenger arriving at Belgrade Airport will witness the following scene: a police officer from one of the European Union (EU) member states, together with colleagues from Serbia, stops and examines...
View ArticleDoors wide shut? Tales from our neighbourhood
In a few months, the leaders of the European Union are to return to the question of opening negotiations on EU membership with Albania and North Macedonia. Make no mistake: as we discuss the matter,...
View ArticleClimate change does not need Schengen visa
Albert Einstein once said: “Look deep into nature, and you will understand everything better.” Our nature, our planet is in trouble! Trying to see the town while looking at the thick fog through the...
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