Sticky or stuck? Challenges of Bosnia’s and Moldova’s accession into the EU

• Authors: Longhurst Kerry , Tinker Vanessa
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

This article explores the contemporary dynamics surrounding EU enlargement and the rapid momentum that was ignited by the circumstances of 24 February 2022. To explore this topic, the article looks at Bosnia’s and Moldova’s similar, yet distinct paths towards the EU and examines how they measure up to the prospect of accession in the context of a possible fast-track enlargement. Through the application of content analysis of EU and national policy documents concerning EU enlargement published after 24 February 2022, as well as findings gathered from from EU enlargement progress trackers, shadow reports, indexes, and commentaries by independent civil society, the article identifies significant gaps between the EU’s own assessment of progress and domestic realities in both Moldova and Bosnia. Accordingly, the article identifies and discusses four particularly problematic areas, common to both states that are potential ”sticking points” standing in the way of their respective EU accession paths: polarisation, oligarchy and corruption, accountability and democratic institutions, as well as fundamental rights and civil society. The article posits that because of problems in these spheres, the countries’ paths towards the EU are ”sticky”, but still far from ”stuck”.

Keywords

EN

European Union; EU enlargement; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Moldova

• Publisher: Wydział Nauk Politycznych i Studiów Międzynarodowych, Uniwersytet Warszawski
• Journal: Przegląd Europejski
• Year: 2024
• Issue: 1(71)
• Pages: 67 - 86

Dates

published

2024

Contributors

author

Longhurst Kerry

• Collegium Civitas

author

Tinker Vanessa

• Collegium Civitas

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