Comments by "" (@theglobalgambit) on "How the EU Failed the Western Balkans" video.

  1. Think its unfair to say the EU has failed - they, like each individual country are facing unprecedented challenges all at once. The Balkans issues would be tough still if it werent added to Russia/Ukraine and indirectly Israel-Gaza. The EU has managed to use soft power and hard power effectively - eg forcing Hungary into line via limiting access to financial flows and injections. As for the Balkans themselves, Serbian's leader Vucic has been hedging for ages at this point - its almost like a game of cat and mouse with the EU, Kosovo and Russia. The EU is trying to protect Bosnia and other potentially at-risk states by accelerating accession talks - but they cant risk the whole project, the whole collective economy by inviting Bosnia - a far poorer and corrupt country. Similar story with Ukraine. Its up to the responsibility of states themselves to meet the requirements - ie Copenhagen Criteria, and the EU helps with that with a mechanism known as Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Western Balkan countries need to deepen the democratic institutions and cooperate to counter disruptive forces, which while hard, is crucial to prevent foreign interference if their goal is to join the EU. And dont forget individual members - Poland working hard via the 3 Seas Initiative to support Balkan countries too.
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