UPS AND DOWNS OF THE EUROPEAN ENLARGEMENT PROCESS: PERSPECTIVE FROM MACEDONIA

Abstract

The research presents an overview of the process of Enlargement during last two decades, with special emphasis on Macedonian path to the EU and aspects of regional cooperation. In this paper the authors argue that the Enlargement policy of the EU is the most successful project in the sense of bringing stability and economic prosperity to more than 500 million people, despite the fact that currently the process itself is facing unprecedented challenges. The authors also present numerous facts and evidence, why Macedonia’s choice was and should remain full membership into the European Union with the access to generous Structural and Cohesion Funds.