20 May 2026
Converging futures: Economic integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union
Country Western Balkans
Date 1 March 2024
Author Stefan Ristovski and Simonida Kacarska
Publisher European Policy Institute (EPI)
This paper is based on inputs from three regional online consultation events and one hybrid public event of the Thematic Working Group “Access to European Single Market” organised between June and September 2023. Active involvement by the EU and the Members States,
particularly those participating in the Berlin Process, is required to support the region and clearly offer further integration into the Single Market, help strengthen Western Balkan countries’ economic governance framework and increase EU funding to support economic convergence. The paper focuses on recommendations offering advanced access to the EU single market as part of the accession process, improving governance policy coordination and making better use of existing and increased EU fundings for the Western Balkans.
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