EU's Regional Approach Towards the Western Balkans

This study analyzes the regional cooperation in the Western Balkans and its importance for Kosovo's aspirations for EU membership. After a decade of turbulent past in Western Balkans the EU, has conditioned regional cooperation as a pre accession criteria for candidate countries with the aim to build a stable and prosperous future for the region. Unfortunately, due to ethnic conflicts, political legacy and underdeveloped infrastructure in the region the obstacles that hinder closer regional cooperation are numerous. Yet, there is growing tendency to give priority to friendliness at bilateral relations, and underestimate the role of regional cooperation. The role of regional cooperation for Kosovo (2004) in the light of unresolved status and running political agenda "Standards for Kosovo" is a matter of big discourse. Tis work argues that regional cooperation can bring stability to the region and Kosovo. Create a necessary environment for development and growth and ultimately help Kosovo achieve economic and political progress required under EU conditionality and as such result in the EU membership.

Autorentext

Fatmir Curri holds an MA in European Studies from K.U.Leuven,Belgium(2004)and a degree in Banking and Finance from University of Prishtina, Kosovo. He is an EU Programme Director at KCSF, Prishtina based NGO. An expert on politics and economics of EU enlargement. Manages EU funded projects. A native of Albanian. Speaks fluently English and Serbian.