Vienna – ESI at expert workshop on Western Balkans’ progress towards EU accession

Adnan joined a panel discussion. Photo: ESI

ESI senior analyst Adnan Ćerimagić took part in an expert workshop titled “Comparing the Western Balkan States in Terms of Progress toward EU Accession”, organised by the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) together with the Austrian ministry of defence on 4 December 2025 in Vienna, Austria.

The closed-door workshop was held under Chatham House rules and brought together regional and European experts to assess the state of EU enlargement in the Western Balkans. The discussion focused on key political, economic, and institutional challenges affecting the accession process, including reform fatigue in candidate countries, enlargement fatigue within the EU, and the credibility of EU conditionality. Particular attention was given to North Macedonia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the influence of regional cooperation initiatives and external actors on the enlargement trajectory.

Adnan contributed ESI’s analysis on the political dynamics shaping enlargement, arguing that prolonged and uncertain accession processes risk undermining democratic institutions and public trust. He emphasised that a credible, merit-based EU approach, combined with stronger financial and technical support, as well as full integration into EU single market, is essential if reforms are to succeed and if the EU is to retain geopolitical credibility in the Western Balkans. The workshop concluded with recommendations on how Austria and the EU could more effectively support the accession efforts of Western Balkan countries.

• ESI proposal: “Preventing violence – transform Kosovo dialogue”
• ESI background: “Scoreboard - The true state of accession - What the Commission assessments reveal”
• ESI proposal: “End the turtle race How the EU can address the crisis of the accession process”
• ESI proposal: “Offer the four freedoms to the Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova For a merit-based EU accession process with a credible goal”
• ESI proposal: “47 again? Russia out, Kosovo in Support Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe”
• ESI proposal: “Abandon clichés about Bosnia: Push EU-related reforms instead of arbitrary conditions”
• ESI proposal: “No partition: Why Kosovo and Serbia must not discuss territory”
• ESI report: “Anti-Corruption Report for the West Balkans: Measure corruption in order to fight it”