This edition of the discussion series focuses on the decision to begin EU membership talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the broader question of whether the EU itself needs to undergo reforms before expanding further. Panelists including Montenegrin Ambassador Petar Marković, Professor Kalypso Nicolaïdis from the European University Institute, and Teona Lavrelashvili from the Belgian political party Les Engagés, reflected on the recent EU summit that initiated membership talks with Bosnia and considered other hopefuls for EU membership, such as countries in the western Balkans, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Turkey.
Kalypso Nicolaïdis noted that European citizens may not be particularly interested in enlargement at the moment, but emphasized that this process could lead to a more stable Europe with less influence from Russia and China within its borders. She also highlighted the significance of the milestone for Bosnia, which has been waiting 20 years for this opportunity. However, panelists also discussed the importance of broader EU reforms that need to take place before further enlargement occurs. Petar Marković expressed his optimism about Montenegro’s readiness for EU membership, stating that his country is actively working to meet EU standards and accelerate its reforms without waiting for the EU to finish its own reforms.
Marković explained that Montenegro, with a population of 600,000, is prepared to step into the void left by Brexit and fill the empty chair within the EU. He described the intense efforts being made in Montenegro to align with EU standards, including transposing EU laws and regulations, working tirelessly to meet the EU acquis, and aiming to convince the European Commission of their readiness by June. Marković stressed that Montenegro does not have the luxury of time and is committed to moving forward with its EU membership aspirations.
The discussion also touched on the broader challenges facing the EU, including the need for internal reforms to address issues such as governance, democracy, and the rule of law. Panelists considered the potential impact of EU enlargement on these internal challenges, and the importance of balancing the need for reform within the EU with the desire for expansion. The panelists explored the complexities of EU membership negotiations and the delicate balance between meeting EU requirements and maintaining national sovereignty and identity.
Overall, the discussion highlighted the complexities and challenges involved in EU enlargement, as well as the need for both candidate countries and the EU itself to make significant reforms in order to facilitate the process. While the decision to begin membership talks with Bosnia was seen as a positive step, panelists emphasized the importance of ongoing reforms and improvements within the EU to ensure the success and sustainability of further enlargement. The conversation underscored the need for a careful and balanced approach to EU expansion, taking into account both the interests of candidate countries and the broader challenges facing the EU as a whole.
