Miejsce Bałkanów Zachodnich w polityce Unii Europejskiej

Abstract

The article presents a general overview of the EU policy towards the West Balkan countries i.e. Slavic countries which emerged after the breakup of Yugoslavia as well as Albania. All EU countries are essentially in favour of their accession to the Union. The accession process, however, is extremely long and complex. An important role in the integration of the West Balkan countries with the EU structures has been played by Slovenia, an EU member state since May 1st , 2004. Slovenia is a central European country but is understands the specificity of south European states as it was also a part of the former Yugoslavia. Croatia is to join the EU on July 1st , 2013. The remaining West Balkan countries are at different stages of the accession process.