Publication

This brief calls for the Western Balkans to be awarded "functional membership" in the EU. The author advocates that EU customs union arrangements replace existing free trade agreements with Western Balkan countries. The brief reviews the political context, regional monetary policies and structural funds, and discusses the movement of people and visa requirements. It also examines the role of energy and the transportation industry in the Western Balkans, and touches briefly upon the problems associated with Kosovo's declaration of independence.