No. 80 - 'Poland and the Europeanization in the West Balkans'

Institute for Western Affairs' Bulletin (No. 80/2012):  Renata Podgórzańska - 'Poland and the Europeanization in the West  Balkans' 

 

One of the consequences of the disintegration of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the necessity to create a comprehensive European Union policy towards this part of the continent. The EU policy took the form of a complete package of actions towards the so called West Balkans, the countries created after the dissolution of Yugoslavia (apart from Slovenia) and Albania. The EU strategy covers specific instruments of interaction, including the prospect of accession. The possible membership was widely considered to be a strong stimulating factor for the West Balkan countries to perform political, economic and social reforms, as well as to initiate regional cooperation and implement EU standards. In order to support the political and economic transformations in the West Balkans, the European Union strived to stabilize the political and economic situation and create appropriate conditions for the coexistence of the Balkan nations.