Külügyi Szemle - A Magyar Külügyi Intézet folyóirata - 2008 (7. évfolyam)
2008 / 1. szám - BALKÁN - Vincze Dalma: Az Európai Unió és a Nyugat-Balkán kapcsolatai és az unió bővítési stratégiájának változásai
Résumé The Relationship between the European Union and the Western Balkans and the Changing Dynamic of the Enlargement Policy of the EU The specific ethnic, geopolitical, religious, and economic features of the region created the circumstances which lead to the Balkans being the most challenging region for the European Union during the 20th century. The EU has revealed an incapacity and inability resolving the issues brought on by the wars in which Yugoslavia has been engaged. This paralysis has forced the EU to re-consider both its international and regional role as well. The closest to the conflicts of the neighbouring regions have encouraged the EU to re-think its strategy for the Balkans, a region now referred to as the Western Balkans. In 2003, at the Thessaloniki European Council, member states of the EU confirmed that the future of the region lies in the hands of the EU. Today, the EU's main objective for the Western Balkans is to create a situation where military conflict is unthinkable. To reach this ambitious goal, which would entail establishing peace, stability, prosperity and freedom in the region by its gradual integration into Europe, and by maintaining the European perspective for the Western Balkans could be a powerful instrument. The study examines the changing dynamic of the enlargement policy of the EU. The analysis of EU-Westem Balkans relationships through its mutual political interests and economic ties brings us closer to an understanding of the conflicting goals of the EU in the region. The stabilisation versus association and the regional approach versus European perspective based on individual merits of the involved countries are challenges that guide the formation of EU policy in this region. The EU has accumulated invaluable experience during the earlier enlargements. These experiences can aid the EU to expeditiously manage both the problem of stabilisation and integration together. 46 Külügyi Szemle
