10 Years After Thessaloniki Conference
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The Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the IIEA hosted a high-level conference on Friday, 24 May 2013 to mark the tenth anniversary of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Thessaloniki. At this summit in 2003 a firm commitment was made to the countries of the region that ‘the future of the Balkans is within the European Union’. The Thessaloniki Agenda continues to shape the EU’s relations with the region, although the euro crisis and the consequent focus on institutional change within the Union pose significant challenges for the future of enlargement to the Western Balkans. This conference reflected on the progress made over the last ten years, the difficulties encountered and the outlook for the completion of the project. |
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This session looked at the evolution of the accession process since Thessaloniki and how it has changed to reflect the lessons learned from previous rounds of enlargement. In 2003 it was recognised that the Stabilisation and Association Process would be used as a framework for integration, suitably enriched with elements from the experience of enlargement. Ten years on it is worth examining how successful this has been. In the interim period Justice and Home Affairs has become a key issue as, despite increased cooperation in the fight against organised crime and corruption, the pace of institutional, constitutional and legal reforms has not kept pace with reforms in other areas. |
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| The sustainable economic development of the Western Balkans is the next major challenge for the region. It underlines political and social stability and the future success of the accession process. Doubts about the region’s readiness to enter the EU marketplace continue to surface – unemployment is high and rising, deindustrialisation is accelerating, and exports are chiefly of low-added value products. This session examined the role of the EU, IFIs and other international organisations and donors in the creation of jobs and growth in the Western Balkans. It also assessed the potential role of regional cooperation in reducing unemployment, fostering human development, building infrastructure and ensuring social cohesion. |
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| The euro crisis and the consequent institutional change within the EU could pose significant questions for the future of Enlargement policy. This session assessed how the EU can maintain credibility in the face of its own economic and social challenges. The accession of Croatia will be a significant boost to the enlargement process by anchoring the region more firmly in the EU and providing a model for its neighbours, but it could also pose challenges for intra-regional trade and the free movement of people. |
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