European Union Integration - Perspectives and Challenges of Western Balkans

Abstract

The European Union remains one of the most important unions on our continent and beyond. Its political-economic role is equally important in the international arena. Over the years, this union has been the target of most European countries. Integration enabled the free movement of goods and people, along with a number of other advantages that strengthened the political and economic position of each of the member states. Of course, just one article is not enough to talk about the development history of the European Union. What constitutes curiosity and reason to study is the current state of this union, its stability and the possibility of further enlargement, as has been discussed for years, including the countries of the Western Balkans, which since the fall of communist systems after the 90's they aspired to integration towards it. This article aims to give another critical perspective to these discussions, taking into account the current situation and economic and political developments within the European continent. We can not ignore the situation of the war between Ukraine and Russia in this discussion and the chain effects it has brought within the EU and beyond.   Received: 10 September 2022 / Accepted: 21 October 2022 / Published: 30 November 2022