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The overview of the impact of the EU membership on Croatia with lessons that could be used by the Western Balkans states in the post-Covid19 era

The Western Balkans states have since 2003 been promised a European Union (EU) integration perspective. Nevertheless, the economic situation in the Western Balkans is far from optimistic, with slim prospects for a significant economic development. The demographic situation is showing either accelerating decrease or stagnation of the population, as well as rapid demographic ageing. It is not probable that the investment boom and GDP growth experienced in the “New Central Europe” in the pre-accession period will be repeated. The emigration from the Western Balkans states will most likely increase due to the gradual opening of the labour market in the EU member states. What could be the major implications of the accession to the EU for the Western Balkans states? The economic results and their negative demographic impacts, which have significantly annulled the positive effects of the EU membership for Croatia, are presented, with predictions what might occur in the Western Balkans, if socio-economic development is not comprehensively encouraged and financed by the EU. In the first half of the 2020, the Croatian presidency, considering the geographic proximity, as well as historical experience and contemporary ties of Croatia to the region, continued to put the issue high on the EU’s agenda. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has put aside many priorities of the EU. Therefore, it is necessary to study the major implications of recent difficulties for the Western Balkans states.

Croatia ; the Western Balkans ; the European Union (the EU) ; the 2020 Croatian presidency of the EU ; demographic indicators ; economic performance ; COVID-19 pandemic

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