CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2009
| Author | Dimitrov, Svetozar Angelov |
|---|---|
| Title | INTEGRATING THE WESTERN BALKANS INTO THE EU: CROATIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA |
| Summary | This thesis analyzes the degree of preparedness of the Western Balkans, specifically Croatia and the Republic of Macedonia, for EU membership. Taking a historical approach, it demonstrates that many of the region’s contemporary problems are rooted in history, either as unresolved conflicts or as national identities built on historical falsifications. Comparing Croatia and the Republic of Macedonia, I show that many of the latter’s foreign policy problems are due to the historical falsifications that the country’s national identity is based on, while the former is only hindered by easily resolvable obstacles. After examining the potential grave problems for the EU and the Western Balkans that could occur if integration is delayed or hurried without qualitative reform, this thesis concludes that the region must be integrated. Criticizing the current methods of enlargement, which allow for too much leeway and interpretation, I propose improvements such as expanding the principle of Conditionality to include country-specific criteria in every case. I further propose that the EU monitors the implementation of concrete prescriptions as criteria for accession, and not least, that it be more careful about the political figures it legitimizes through partnership. |
| Supervisor | Balázs, Péter |
| Department | International Relations MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2009/dimitrov_svetozar.pdf |
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