The EU’s relationship with Albania and North Macedonia

Abstract

Enlargement is one of the EU’s flagship policies, as it’s the primary way the Union can promote its values across the continent. Being such a key policy for the Union and with the lack of recent enlargement, this study aims to encourage enlargement into the Western Balkans region, especially Albania and North Macedonia. This study aims to further understand enlargement by analysing the EU’s relationship with Albania and North Macedonia, which are two candidate countries at this time of writing. In this study, we see that from the independence of these countries, the EU was always there to help them make the necessary reforms required to comply with the Copenhagen Criteria. Throughout this study, we are presented with the internal and external struggles these countries faced to gain candidacy status. With recent changes in the Union, we analyse the impact Brexit will have and how it affects the EU’s relationship with these countries and how these countries continue making the necessary reforms through soft power. This study also discusses the drivers that encourage countries to join the EU whilst also discussing one of the main drawbacks for current member states, which argue about enlargement fatigue. Together with challenges from individual member states themselves, these challenges show the long journey towards accession faced by Albania and North Macedonia. With the case studies presented, we delve into the problems that Albania and North Macedonia are facing and how these are being tackled with the help of the EU. The research method used to analyse the gaps was one of a qualitative approach whereby the three research questions were answered. The qualitative methodology used allowed me to examine the literature about enlargement and other topics discussing this issue. Analysing the literature gave me the opportunity to discuss various points that concern enlargement and how this could affect the future of the EU. In the first case study presented in this thesis, I analysed how the EU aided both countries in changing two key democratic pillars, which led them to be accepted as candidate countries. The second study presented analyses of the issues that these countries face and how they are tackled with help from the EU. Before concluding my thesis, I discuss the current situation of these countries in terms of their progress towards being members of the EU. Having two countries with such a vibrant and troubled past join the Union was seen in a dark light due to the issues they might bring with them, but through the reforms mentioned, they will soon have the criteria in place to join the Union.