Revising the enlargement methodology – a perspective from a long standing candidate
Author: Dr. Simonida Kacarska The last quarter of 2019 has definitely been a peculiar period of the EU accession saga. The deadlock of the October 2019 Council followed by the French non-paper for reforming the EU accession process prompted a much-needed debate on the possible ways forward in view of revising the enlargement methodology. The discussions […]
Tackling the Migrant Crisis in the Republic of North Macedonia
This policy analysis is an overview of North Macedonia’s efforts and of its cooperation with Frontex and EU Member States in countering illegal migration as of the migrant/refugee crisis in 2015. It elaborates the context of the issue, the legal framework and the contents of documents relevant to the Republic of North Macedonia, Frontex and [...] VIDEO: EU accession – no pass to an impasse?
Pas tryezës së rrumbullakët organizuar nga EPI më 3 dhjetor në Shkup, folësit Valeska Esch – Drejtore programi në Aspen Institute Gjermani, Sébastien Gricourt – drejtor i Observatorit Ballkanik në Foundation Jean Jaurès – Francë dhe Wouter Zweers – Hulumtues në Clingendael Institute – Holandë, u përgjigjën se si ata e shohin rrugëtimin e Maqedonisë […]
Unfulfilled Promises and Missed Opportunities in North Macedonia
Prospects of EU membership are on hold in North Macedonia, despite it going as far as to change its name to resolve a dispute with Greece. Progress made a great political cost was not enough for some EU countries and the accession process now needs to be put together again. Simonida Kacarska, director of the […]
Effectiveness of National Human Rights Institutions in the Western Balkans
This regional report published by CRD is the result of the research project which included independent institutions established by the state to protect and promote human rights in Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. The research took place in the period July – November 2019. Firstly, a comprehensive methodology for assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of [...] Human Rights Defenders in the Western Balkans
The position of human rights defenders (HRDs) in the Western Balkans is increasingly precarious. Across the region, HRDs and organisations, as well as independent media outlets, are prone to intimidation, threats, smear campaigns, digital and physical attacks, and an overall disregard by national authorities. While the region shares several common features (sluggish integration, weak rule [...] Active youth participation is more than voting
Author: Ardita Vejseli Even though civil society and youth are among the pillars of democracy and one of the main actors in addressing important reforms and issues in the EU accession process, they still face obstacles that prevent them from exercising their full potential in the countries of the Western Balkans. Western Balkan countries need […]
Effective benchmarking for concrete rule of law reforms in the Western Balkans
In this brief, we focus on the lessons learned from rule of law benchmarking in the Western Balkans so far in order to provide input for ongoing discussions on revising the accession methodology. The brief first provides an overview of rule of law benchmarking and provides key recommendations that need to be taken into consideration [...] Avoiding another déjà vu for North Macedonia
Authors: Ardita Abazi Imeri and Wouter Zweers In North Macedonia there is a joke: “There are two absolute things – God and the USA, but the USA comes first.” But what about the EU? Together with Croatia, North Macedonia was the first country in the Western Balkan region to step up cooperation with the EU through a […]
Shqyrtim krahasues për vitin 2018 dhe 2019 të notave të Komisionit Evropian për Kapitullin 23
Infographic showing the EC assessments in the Chapter 23 for the Western Balkan's countries. DOWNLOAD PDF