Publication

The brief analyzes the implications of the EU's internal crisis for its stabilization role in the Western Balkans. It argues that despite internal crisis, EU institutions are still strong enough to cope with challenges. A strategic discussion on the lietmotif of the CFSP could nevertheless be helpful. Furthermore, international support is still needed to further consolidation in the region. To this end, cooperation between the EU, the US and Turkey could be especially beneficial. On the other side, national decision-makers in the Western Balkans should make the necessary domestic compromises in order to achieve progress in EU and NATO integration processes.