After two years of blockade, EU member states during July reached a consensus on opening negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. Ukraine and Moldova became candidate countries for membership in the European Union. Many believe that the war in Ukraine has returned the focus of the member states to the enlargement process.

Together we want to work towards our real EUtopian idea, our vision for Europe’s future. Given the historic momentum Europe finds itself in, not only do we need to learn how to dream of utopias but we need to learn to actively live in them.

After two years of blockade, EU member states during July reached a consensus on opening negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. Ukraine and Moldova became candidate countries for membership in the European Union. Many believe that the war in Ukraine has returned the focus of the member states to the enlargement process.

In light of the most serious threat to peace in Europe since the World War II, Europe’s “hour” now finally needs to arrive. The current momentum for an independent, democratic and geopolitical union that welcomes its neighbours with open arms should not be missed.

What is driving the vaccination uptake divide between Western and Eastern Europe? What can be done to overcome these challenges? Tune into this LSE IDEAS and Ratiu Forum webinar examining vaccine hesitancy in marginalised local identities in Central and South-Eastern Europe. Meet the speakers and chair

How did the narratives about the EU and the process of getting the vaccines in 2021 change over time in Austria? How did Austrian media contribute to the spread of the narratives?

By: Senada Šelo Šabić
Over the last three decades, Croatia has been steadily losing its population. The 2021 national census results show that Croatia has a population of 3,871,833 million people, 413,056 less than in 2011. Demographic decline is partly a result of wartime human losses in the 1990s, but ever since it has been steered by a combination of factors including decreasing birth rates, increasing emigration and limited immigration. Since Croatia joined the European Union in 2013, emigration of mostly young and educated hit new record highs. The author of this Policy Brief argues that the government’s policy solutions have not reversed negative demographic trends and offers policy recommendations for a progressive and comprehensive immigration policy in Croatia.

By: Melika Mahmutović
Extending the objectives of the European Green Deal to the Western Balkans is an important step for environmental protection in the region, which faces serious challenges related to air, water and soil pollution. The Russian war in Ukraine and consequences of the energy crisis make the green transformation even more relevant. The European Union shall provide strong support for the Western Balkan states in their journey towards energy transition and sustainable development, while ensuring stability in the region. Hence, the author of this Policy Brief argues that the Green Agenda Action Plan should strengthen a bottom-up approach and the role of environmental civil society organisations in the drafting and consultation process.

By: Svetlana Stefanović, Maša Vračar
The European Union is a global leader in promoting gender equality and emphasises the importance of empowerment of women also in the enlargement process. Therefore, incorporating gender equality principles into domestic legislation and ratifying the relevant acquis communautaire has become an essential part of the accession process. Serbia as a candidate country for EU membership adopted several laws, a legal framework and established necessary gender equality mechanisms, but the status of gender equality policy implementation remains a challenge. That is why the authors of this Policy Brief point to the problems women face in the labour market in Serbia, present the main causes of the unemployment of young women and women 45+ and offer policy recommendations for overcoming them.

By: Elise Bernard, Fjollë Ibrahimi
In July 2018, the European Commission confirmed that Kosovo had met the two outstanding requirements, thus fulfilling all benchmarks set out in the visa liberalisation roadmap. The European Parliament has voted in support of the European Commission’s proposal which is still pending in the Council of the European Union. Thus, in a time where other Western Balkan countries are in a process of discussing different stages of the integration, Kosovo remains in search of visa-free regime. The authors of this Policy Brief argue that Kosovo’s visa liberalisation process should be treated as a matter of urgency because the potential candidate country should move forward with its European integration process and enjoy the same perspective as other countries in the region.

By: Evelina Staykova
Some European countries and regions are confronted with a severe decline in population. The last census in Bulgaria, for example, shows that its population has shrunk by 11.5% in a decade and continues to decline. The country has lapsed into a serious demographic crisis, of which emigration, low birth rates and high death rates are the key factors. On the other hand, return migration gathered new momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic in several EU countries and particularly Bulgaria recorded a rising number of returning migrants. However, the recognition of potential benefits from this phenomenon failed to translate into concrete policies aimed at attracting returnee´s involvement in the prosperity of the country. These developments have reconfirmed the need for a thorough re-evaluation of current policies, writes the author of this Policy Brief and identifies possible ways for improvement.

By: Sarina Bakić
In its recently adopted Enlargement Package the European Commission recommends that Bosnia and Herzegovina should be granted candidate status by the EU member states, on the understanding that several reforms are undertaken to reinforce democracy, the functionality of state institutions, rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime and guarantee media freedom and migration management in the country. Considering the status quo of the country, the author of this Policy Brief, critically evaluates the present discourse of cultural policies and recommends a different concept of cultural policy and cooperation as a way to integrate society.

Approval for EU membership has been declining since the beginning of the Corona crisis. Critical view on the role of the EU in procuring vaccines and cushioning the economic consequences of the pandemic. Support for joint EU vaccination certificate.

70 percent: Austria should remain an EU member, 14 percent: Austria should leave the EU

62 percent: Work and tasks of the EU Parliament are important / 68 percent feel badly informed

Two thirds of respondents support increased humanitarian and climate engagement – 58 percent in favour of a new EU treaty

Highest support for Bosnia-Herzegovina (36 percent) - Lowest support for Kosovo (25 percent)

73 percent: Austria should remain an EU member, 13 percent: Austria should leave the EU / 29 percent: Bigger EU budget is needed