Press
WB30’s press and publications highlight our work advocating for the accelerated accession of the Western Balkans to the European Union. This section features policy commentary, expert analysis, media coverage, and project updates focused on enlargement, reform progress, and the strategic importance of integration for both the region and Europe.
Through evidence-based insights and clear communication, we aim to support informed public debate, engage policymakers and partners, and promote practical pathways that advance the Western Balkans’ European future.
February 2026 Report
April 2026 Report
A Level Playing Field: Comparing the Western Balkans with Previous Eastern European Accessions
Research report by Heather Lindsay which examines the readiness of Western Balkan countries to join the EU, assessing whether the Western Balkans are comparable to former EU candidates at the time of their accession. Comparative analysis of economic and political indicators are used to evaluate the Western Balkans against former candidates, rather than against current accession criteria. These findings argue that the Western Balkans are equally, if not more prepared than previous accession candidates. EU accession for the Western Balkans is both feasible and strategically important for regional stability, security, and prosperity, highlighting the need to reconsider ‘readiness’ benchmarks with political imperative.
Fractured Peace and European Union Enlargement: The Case for a Collective Western Balkan Accession
Research report by Heather Lindsay which advocates for the Western Balkan states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, to join the EU collectively by 2030, rather than through an individual, merit-based process. It argues that the EU’s current approach overlooks the region’s interconnected political, ethnic, and historical dynamics, leaving these states in ongoing instability.
The paper makes three key points: first, the EU has historically treated the region as a collective, and shifting away risks undermining past efforts; second, individual accession creates power imbalances and fails to address deep-rooted conflicts; third, collective accession offers a more stable path by tackling regional divisions together. It also warns that declining support for EU integration could increase influence from external powers like Russia and China.
Ultimately, the research concludes that collective accession is essential for regional stability and for the EU’s long-term security and credibility, urging a coordinated strategy that accelerates reform while reinforcing regional cohesion.