engleski

From Candidate Status to Full Memebership: The EU and South-Eastern Europe

The presentation focused on prospects of continuation of enlargement to the countries of South-eastern Europe, having in mind experiences of new member states (Hungary), challenges that the two acceding countries (Bulgaria and Romania) are facing in last stage of their preparations for membership and steps towards accession in the new candidates (Croatia, Macedonia). A comparative view was applied. The starting point was the fact that the latest enlargement was a success in many ways and that, on the other hand, peace, stability and sustainable economic growth of South Eastern Europe could only be achieved by getting the whole region closer to the European Union. Issues such as European enlargement and its importance in changing shape of South-eastern Europe ; the absorption capacity and new consensus on EU enlargement, EU integration and regional cooperation, effectiveness of technical assistance and expectations of new financial instrument for potential member states (IPA) were addressed.

Croatia; South-eastern Europe; absorption capacity; consensus on EU enlargement; EU integration; regional cooperation

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