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The Europeanisation of the Western Balkans pp 181–206Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

The Europeanisation of Contested States: Comparing Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro

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Part of the book series: New Perspectives on South-East Europe ((NPSE))

Abstract

This chapter compares the European Union (EU) integration process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro. The analysis centres on the different political systems and conflict-resolution mechanisms in these three countries in order to explain their different progress in EU accession. Our main argument is that consolidated statehood is not only key for effective democratisation, but also a prerequisite for EU accession and functional EU integration. Systematically applying these concepts to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro, the chapter unpacks the connection between internal contestation and a lack of general consensus on EU integration, as well as the connection between different nation-building projects and limited Europeanisation.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The term Western Balkans refers to Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia and Albania. However, after joining the EU, Croatia is no longer considered a part of this region.

  2. 2.

    For growing enlargement fatigue, see the Eurobarometer (2016).

  3. 3.

    On all of these issues, see Keil and Arkan (2015a).

  4. 4.

    The short form Bosnia always refers to the whole country in this chapter; the term ‘Macedonia’ designates the country and the ‘Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’ is used when citing directly from sources referring to the country under that name.

  5. 5.

    In 2018, the European Commission indicated that Serbia and Montenegro might become EU members by 2025. However, this timeframe has not been fixed yet and should be seen as an indication rather than a fixed and agreed framework.

  6. 6.

    On this issue also see the contribution by Asya Zhelyazkova et al. in this volume.

  7. 7.

    In Slovenia and Croatia, the constitutions stated that the states shall not join any other state unions. This was a result of their struggle for independence and to prevent the re-creation of a new Yugoslavia.

  8. 8.

    The Sejdić and Finci judgement refers to a decision of the European Court of Human Rights (cases 27996/06 and 34836/06) of December 2009, in which the Court found that Bosnia is discriminating certain citizens because the composition of the State Presidency and State House of Peoples suggests that only Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats can be members of these institutions.

  9. 9.

    The visa liberalization process eventually enabled the citizens of the Western Balkan states to travel freely to the EU. It took place between 2008 and 2010 and entailed meeting specific conditions that aimed at ensuring border security, identification, asylum, etc. For further details, see Kacarska (2012).

  10. 10.

    In Macedonia, these coalitions managed to force the Gruevski government to stand down and opened the door to a new government, more inclined to engage in the EU accessionnegotiations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute, San Domenico di Fiesole, Italy

    Jelena Džankić

  2. School of Psychology, Politics and Sociology, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK

    Soeren Keil

Authors
  1. Jelena Džankić
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  2. Soeren Keil
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Correspondence to Soeren Keil .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute, San Domenico di Fiesole, Italy

    Jelena Džankić

  2. School of Psychology, Politics and Sociology, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK

    Soeren Keil

  3. Centre for Southeast European Studies, University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    Marko Kmezić

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Džankić, J., Keil, S. (2019). The Europeanisation of Contested States: Comparing Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro. In: Džankić, J., Keil, S., Kmezić, M. (eds) The Europeanisation of the Western Balkans. New Perspectives on South-East Europe. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-91412-1_9

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