SEIZING THE EU INTEGRATION IN A NEW GEOPOLITICAL ERA

Abstract

The reshaped geopolitical context has reenergized the enthusiasm on the future round of EU enlargement.
The new four-pillar Growth Plan for Western Balkans already sent a very powerful message that the
enlargement is back on the agenda. Our study underscores the economic advantages of the EU enlargement
for the region. The European single market, the deepening financial integration, and the legal, institutional
and policy convergence have been found to contribute to growth acceleration and income convergence in
Europe. The EU accession talks would focus the minds and resources of political elites on the specific
conditions that the country needs to fulfil for the successful completion of individual chapters in the
negotiation process. Staying in the European waiting room for too long would only promote euroscepticism
and Euro-fatigue in the Western Balkans.