Podcast

The Western Balkans’ Bumpy Road to the EU

by Dimitar Bechev and Oana Popescu-Zamfir
Published on January 17, 2024

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has given EU enlargement new impetus, but obstacles to the Western Balkan countries’ integration persist.

Dimitar Bechev, senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, and Oana Popescu-Zamfir, director of the Bucharest-based think tank GlobalFocus Center, discuss the domestic dynamics in the region and how Brussels can encourage democratic reform.

EUEuropeWestern Balkans
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More work from Europe Inside Out

  • podcast
    Is Europe Ready for Trump 2.0?

    Rym Momtaz, Sophia Besch, and Christopher Shell discuss how Donald Trump’s victory might reshape transatlantic relations.

    • Rym Momtaz
  • podcast
    Can Georgia Stay on Its European Path?

    Thomas de Waal and Natalie Sabanadze discuss the stakes in Georgia’s forthcoming election and explore how the results could affect the country’s course toward EU membership.

  • podcast
    Can EU-UK Relations Be Reset?

    Peter Kellner and Kim Darroch explore the challenges and opportunities in resetting EU-UK relations under a new Labour government in Britain.

  • podcast
    Strategic Europe
    Has Europe Become More Strategic?

    In a special episode of Europe Inside Out, Rosa Balfour, Judy Dempsey, and Jan Techau shed light on the creation of Carnegie Europe’s “Strategic Europe” blog and assess Europe's changing role in the world.

  • podcast
    Is the Planet on the Ballot?

    Olivia Lazard and Rod Schoonover discuss how this year’s elections in the EU and the United States will shape global climate policies, stressing the urgent need for transformative action amid increasing planetary insecurity.