At the outset of a new political and institutional cycle of the EU, 2019 has been a year of many unknowns. For the countries of the Western Balkans, the direction of the future development of EU enlargement policy has been a key concern. During the mandate of the previous European Commission (EC) it has been clear for some time that there is discontent on the side of EU member states concerning the on-the ground effects of the enlargement methodology.

Almost two decades have passed since the countries of the Western Balkans (WB) began their way on the European integration process. From today’s perspective, however, the region’s prospects of achieving EU membership in the foreseeable future appear rather grim.

While the Council of the EU has been headed by the countries from the Western Balkan’s neighbourhood (Austria, Bulgaria, and Romania) in the last 18 months, the time has come for Finland – a country geographically distant from the region – to take over.

After long negotiations and the European Parliamentary elections, the leading positions of the most important European institutions are being filled. Who are the people who will shape the future of Europe in the coming period? Find out in our new infographic.

In this infographics, find out how the European Commission assessed Serbia in the latest report, which you can find here. To download the infographic in full size, click here.  

The highly-anticipated elections for the European Parliament are about to take place. Take a look at CEP’s infographic and find out more about the main political groups as well as what is to be expected from these elections.

On 1 January 2019, Romania started presiding over the Council of the EU, for the first time since joining the Union. It took up the baton from Austria, a country whose priorities mainly revolved around strengthening the EU’s security, tackling the migration issue, and supporting the Western Balkan’s EU perspective. What about Romania’s priorities?

This policy brief aims to uncover the motivating factors for EU membership support in Serbia by employing advanced statistical methods. Based on the results, it develops a set of recommendations for a communication strategy and initiatives aimed at boosting citizens’ support for EU membership.

Even though there is barely a month left until Brexit, it still remains unclear how the whole process will end.

On 28 November 2018, in the framework of the current Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the European Policy Centre – CEP hosted a conference under the name “European Union and the Western Balkans: How to make the enlargement process more credible?”. The event was part of the Western Balkans Reflection Forum Initiative, launched by a network of European think tanks in support of the Berlin Process