9th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum: A clear need for a realistic final date for EU membership

By Andrej Zorko*

The 9th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum 2023 was held in a year full of significant milestones for the EU, notably the 50th anniversary of the first enlargement. Since the foundation of the European Community, seven enlargements have taken place, helping the EU grow to the present number of 27 Member States.

After the last enlargement in 2013, with Croatia being the latest country to join the Union, growing awareness on both sides has confirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies with the EU, especially now in the face of current global events.

As the EESC noted in its 2021 opinion, the Western Balkans are an integral part of Europe and a geostrategic priority for the EU.

The experience of each successive EU enlargement has shown the importance of involving social partners and civil society organizations, recognizing their significant role. In the case of the Western Balkan countries, civil society has been promoting the shared European values of peace, security, economic and social prosperity, as well as the need for reforms for a successful enlargement process.

Undoubtedly, there is still much to work to do to promote sustainable development, the rule of law, transparency, and the fight against corruption. There is still a strong need to solve the problems that affect the younger population. Including these stakeholders in the integration process is sure to provide the solutions and policies that will have a high degree of legitimacy and effectiveness and will provide a smoother transition to full EU membership for Western Balkan countries. For this reason, all the actors must ensure that the involvement of the region in the EU’s existing programs and the reforms being carried out have a meaningful impact on the quality of people’s lives.

Being aware of many challenges still awaiting stakeholders on the path to accession it is important to also recognize that much has already been accomplished and that the Final Declaration[2] of the 9th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum reaffirms the clear commitment of civil society and the EESC to a common European future. The Declaration’s call for a clear and realistic timeline, in which the region should be ready for accession is a welcome driver in the process. As the EESC has already pointed out, it is also important to set out clear and strict conditions in a tangible way, so that the countries of the region can make progress on the path of reform and progress can be effectively monitored.

There has already been strong approval by all parties to include representatives of the trade unions, employers’ organizations, and civil society organizations of candidate countries in the work of the EESC in an advisory capacity. This will not only improve the work of the EESC in taking into account the views of soon-to-be Member State stakeholders but will also spread first-hand knowledge of the inner workings and processes of social dialogue at the EU level across the Western Balkan region, which will speed up the accession process.

The 9th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum and its Final Declaration can be considered a success and a stepping stone towards the region successfully joining the EU. There is a clear need for a realistic timeline and a date on which the candidate countries should be ready for accession. A final date would provide a further impetus on the path of integration for both the EU and the governments of the regions to implement the necessary reforms.

Even a possible staged accession is a solution to the concerns of some Western Balkan states, which are skeptical about 2030 as a target date, announced by the president of the European Parliament at the Bled Strategic Forum.

Despite the future challenges and the skepticism of some, there is no doubt that the 8th enlargement of the EU is closer than ever. There is also a clear recognition, on all sides, about the crucial role the social partners and civil society organizations can play in the process. Setting a target date, which should be realistic for all sides, is essential.

There is still some way to go in addressing the problems of young people in the Western Balkans and implementing the necessary policies to meet the Copenhagen criteria of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and respect for minorities. However, with strong commitments and the inclusion of all stakeholders, perhaps the end of that path is finally in sight.

*Andrej Zorko, EESC member, President of the Follow-up Committee on Western Balkans

Executive secretary to the presidency of the Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS)