Analyses in EU: Western Balkans Still in Membership “Waiting Room” But Closer to Door

Italy and the Balkans (Photo: PrintScreen YouTube)

The Western Balkans is still in the “waiting room” for membership in the European Union, but it seems to be closer to the door because the predominant political will currently exists in the EU for this small, but nevertheless internal courtyard of Europe, not be left to the influence of non-European powers.

This is the opinion of media analysts and diplomatic officials at the EU headquarters in Brussels. However, there have been warnings that “like all issues in EU enlargement, especially in the Balkans, nothing is certain,” as the Brussels-based portal EUobserver stated in an analysis published on Jan. 8.

As for Serbia, there are an increasing number of reports in western media about the tense political situation, collapse of democracy and the authorities’ mounting problems, caused not just by the students’ protesting, but also intellectuals and parts of the population. Diplomatic sources in Brussels have stated that the Serbian authorities were being “eagerly anticipated” to fulfill the promised reforms in order to open the next chapter and finally advance in the EU membership negotiations.

According to reports, this also includes seeing when and how the words of Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric about Serbia being ready for the changes in the geopolitical landscape would be carried out. It was also stated that the implementation of reforms for membership in the European Union was diplomatic priority and included “changes in legislation, reform of institutions, harmonization of society.”