The EU and the Western Balkans: rapprochement during the pandemic?

The Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade (IFAT) organised an online roundtable discussion entitled “The EU and the Western Balkans: rapprochement during the pandemic?” on 11 May 2020. Moderated by Ferenc Németh, Research Fellow from IFAT, panellists included Péter Dobrowiecki, Head of Research from the Antall József Knowledge Centre, Anna Orosz, Research Fellow and Programme Manager (Post-Soviet region and the Balkans) from IFAT, and Dr. Tibor Ördögh, Assistant Professor from the National University of Public Services.

The panel discussion started with a short retrospect to the period prior to the appearance of the coronavirus on the Balkans. Participants explained that the first months of 2020 were characterised by political tensions in almost every country of the region: while North Macedonia and Serbia prepared for parliamentary elections and new governments were established in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, tense political debates in Albania and the new religious law in Montenegro shaped the political landscape. The appearance of the coronavirus, however, has completely altered the political agendas.

The panellists agreed on the fact that the countries of the Western Balkans reacted relatively fast to the pandemic and introduced strict measures (e.g. closing off borders and the introduction of curfews) in order to tackle the situation.

Talking about the European Union’s (EU) assistance to the region, Dr. Tibor Ördögh explained that although the EU has supported the Western Balkans with significant financial means, China with its so-called “mask diplomacy” was able to assist the countries in a more apparent way. Furthermore, Russia’s contribution in Serbia to tackle to pandemic was also important. This main reason why the support of external actors could make the headlines is that EU member states started to limit their exports on necessary equipment during this time period.

According to the panellists, the revised enlargement methodology by the European Commission as well as the green light of the European Council to open accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia are generally positive messages for the entire region. For Péter Dobrowiecki, the fact that the EU – Western Balkans summit was organised via a videoconference confirms the importance of the region and proves that the EU wants to maintain its credibility. There is, however, no consensus among member states on what kind of perspective they wish to offer to the Western Balkans.

Commenting on the results of the Zagreb summit, Anna Orosz stressed that besides its diplomatic message, the meeting only concerned the current situation. The conference’s focus was on agreeing on a financial package which could diminish the economic and social impacts of the pandemic. There was not any development with regards to the integration process of the Western Balkan states.

At the end of the panel discussion, panellists went on discussing the events and possible challenges of the upcoming period. That includes the resumption of the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, the importance of solving the mainly historical debates between North Macedonia and Bulgaria and working out the details of the new enlargement methodology.

For the full recording please click on the link below or visit our YouTube channel!