Unpacking the 2024 Enlargement Package – A New Momentum or Business as Usual?

With the enlargement momentum still present in the Western Balkans (WB), the European Union’s commitment to the process remains steadfast despite the complex challenges facing Europe. The official adoption of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans represents a key strategic initiative aimed at accelerating reforms and fostering deeper integration with the EU, giving additional boost to the process. In this context, a European Policy Centre (CEP) hosted a webinar titled Discussing the 2024 Enlargement Package & Functioning of Democratic Institutions in the Western Balkans brought together key stakeholders to examine the region’s progress towards the EU and challenges on their membership path. It included the participation of high-profile speakers, such as Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of the European Commission’s DG for Neighbourhood and Enlargement; Miia Lahti, Director of the Unit for South-Eastern Europe and EU Enlargement of Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs; and representatives from the Think for Europe Network (TEN), who assessed the current state of affairs in the WB’s enlargement path. Moreover, Miloš Pavković presented findings from the project Towards Better Monitoring of Democracy in the Western Balkans, which examined the European Commission’s reporting on the Functioning of Democratic Institutions (FoDI), offering evidence-based insights into democratic governance in the region. This research, funded by the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation, underscores the critical importance of strengthening democratic institutions as a cornerstone of the accession process. By fostering dialogue and presenting actionable insights, the event assessed the WB progress and the potential of the Growth Plan to serve as a catalyst for reforms, sustaining the momentum of enlargement and advancing the Western Balkans’ European aspirations.