Croatia, Macedonia and the EU: Setting the Bar Too High?

Deniz Devrim, Barcelona Center for International Studies (CIDOB); Tomislav Maršić, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), Currently visiting Scholar at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford

The outcome of the European Council in December 2009, when the EU Heads of state will gather, could result in a significant step forward towards EU integration for Croatia and Macedonia. It could also represent an important signal for other Western Balkan countries. Critical issues in both countries touch upon cross-cutting concerns such as inter-ethnic coexistence and bilateral disputes which delay EU integration. Citizens in the Western Balkans closely watch developments towards European integration for the region’s two most advanced countries. While a significant step forward – such as opening EU accession negotiations with Macedonia – would be a positive sign, on the other hand, any further deadlock after the December Council meeting could have unfavourable consequences for the region as a whole. (...)

http://www.cidob.org/en/publicaciones/notes_internacionals_cidob/numero_08/croatia_macedonia_and_the_eu_setting_the_bar_too_high