engleski

(Ir)relevance of Croatian Experience for Further EU Enlargement

The paper argues that Croatia’s experience of accession to the European Union (EU) and that of EU membership for nearly six years is only partially relevant for the EU enlargement of the Western Balkans (WB). This is contrary to the official narrative both of the European Commission and Croatian officials. The Commission explained that Croatian accession attested that the whole of the Western Balkans can one day join the EU, a position shared by Croatia. Moreover, Croatia says that EU enlargement in the WB is its national interest. The question is if these statements hold? Croatia’s experience of liberal regression since it joined the EU shows why more emphasis in any future enlargement needs to be put on fundamentals, i.e. the entrenchment of liberal values. In other words, Croatian experience is relevant to the extent to show of how-not-to- do future enlargements. The paper also analyzes the contemporary moment in the EU which has little appetite for further enlargement. This appetite is further reduced by having as candidates and potential candidates democratically and economically weak WB countries. Set between the WB region and the EU, Croatia nominally advocates enlargement, but its capacity to influence the EU or its will to constructively contribute to progress in the WB are limited.

EU ; enlargement ; Croatia ; Western Balkans ; regional cooperation

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