The EU has developed a policy to support the gradual integration of the Western Balkan countries with the Union. The EU aims to promote peace, stability and economic development in the region&nbsp;and open up the prospect of EU integration.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

Parliament is fully involved in the Stabilisation and Association Process &nbsp;and must also consent to any new accession to the EU. In addition, through its budgetary powers, it has direct influence over the amounts allocated to the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance. Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs appoints standing rapporteurs for all candidate and potential candidate countries. Parliament expresses its positions on enlargement in the form of annual resolutions responding to the Commission’s latest annual country reports.

On 1&nbsp;July&nbsp;2013, Croatia became the first of the seven countries to join, and Montenegro, Serbia, the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania are official candidates. Accession negotiations and chapters have been opened with Montenegro and Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans

Candidate countries include Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are considered potential candidates.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans (2019-2020)

EP Plenary session - Establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans

Trilogue on Western Balkans Facility

Western Balkans Leaders Meeting - Arrival of Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Conference ' Western Balkans Media Lost in Disinformation ? '

EP Plenary Session - Cooperation on the fight against organised crime in the Western Balkans

2nd Western Balkans speakers' Summit 28 June - Group photo

2nd Western Balkans speakers' Summit 28 June

2nd Western Balkans speakers' Summit - AFET Committee in association with the EP Standing delegations for the Western Balkans, with the Speakers of the Western Balkans parliaments

Extraordinary Conference of President on the Balkan countries Summit

Opening of the Parliamentary Summit with the Western Balkans

High-Level roundtable on The European Integration Process of the Western Balkans

High-level roundtable on 'The Integration Process of the Western Balkans in a regional Perspective

EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia, Bulgaria.The Leaders of Europe pose for the family picture

EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia, Bulgaria.Antonio TAJANI - EP President meets with Aleksandar VUCIC - President of Serbia

EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia, Bulgaria.Press Briefing

EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia, Bulgaria.

EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Family Picture

Video stockshot with illustrative images of the capital and countryside of the Western Balkans country Montenegro produced by the Audiovisual Service of the European Commission.

Infoclip: Montenegro

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