The Western Balkans and the Challenges of EU Accession The Resilient Transformation

Acknowledgments

Notes on Contributors

Chapter 1: Resilient transformation in the Western Balkans’ EU accession: An introductory framework

Igor Vidačak

Part I – Strategic Foundations and EU Credibility

Chapter 2: The evolving nature of EU conditionality: From Copenhagen to ‘fundamentals first’
David Phinnemore

Chapter 3: European strategic autonomy as a precondition for enlargement
Steven Blockmans

Chapter 4: Democratic backsliding in the EU: Implications for enlargement credibility
Christian Lequesne and Earl Wang

Chapter 5: The rise of the radical right in the European Union: Implications for enlargement and the Western Balkans
Rosa Balfour

Chapter 6: The future of the EU: Scenarios for internal reform and credible enlargement
Jim Cloos

Chapter 7: The EU and authoritarian norm diffusion in the Western Balkans
Nikolaos Tzifakis

Part II – Governance and Democratic Resilience

Chapter 8: Public administration reform in the EU integration process of the Western Balkans
Gentian Elezi

Chapter 9: Regulatory impact assessment in the Western Balkans: A key to sustainable implementation of EU standards
Erik Akse

Chapter 10: The ex post rule of law conditionality and its implications for EU enlargement: Lessons for the Western Balkans
Tiago Antunes

Chapter 11: Transforming government-civil society relations for democratic resilience in the Western Balkans
Igor Vidačak

Chapter 12: Managing migration as an institutional challenge for Western Balkan countries: Past and present
Nadan Petrović

Part III – Economic, Digital and Green Transitions

Chapter 13: The European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: A vision for economic transformation
Milica Uvalić and Odeta Barbullushi

Chapter 14: Social and economic disparities in the Western Balkans: Ensuring inclusive development
Will Bartlett

Chapter 15: Infrastructure investment as a catalyst for economic transformation in the Western Balkans
Mario Holzner

Chapter 16: EU digital and media policy in the Western Balkans
Iva Nenadić and Tijana Blagojev

Chapter 17: Advancing climate and energy reforms: Aligning the Western Balkans with the European Green Deal
Sami Andoura and Simon Schunz

Biography

Igor Vidačak is a full professor of European Union Politics at the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Zagreb and holder of the Jean Monnet Chair Active European Democratic Citizenship for Resilient Society. He also acts as Director of Studies for the Department of European Transformation and Integration Studies at the College of Europe in Tirana. As an international consultant, he led EU technical assistance projects that supported better governance and empowered civil society in countries of Southeastern Europe. During his experience in a leading position in the Croatian government, he initiated reforms of the standards and practices of public consultations and civic engagement in policymaking. His research focuses on civil society, interest groups, lobbying, democratic innovations and European politics.

Anyone interested in the conditions, characteristics and challenges of the Western Balkans’ accession to the EU will appreciate this thought-provoking collection.

- Christophe Hillion, Professor, University of Oslo

Bringing the Western Balkans within the European Union will make Europe stronger, safer, and more prosperous. It is more than a geopolitical imperative. It is a choice of conscience and a choice for society. This book offers a valuable and inspiring contribution to the intellectual and democratic drive to make it happen.  

- Charles Michel, Former President of the European Council, Former Prime Minister of Belgium