Between indifference and hesitation: France and EU enlargement towards the Balkans
Open access
Autor(in)
Datum
2017Typ
- Journal Article
Abstract
France’s hesitant stance on EU enlargement towards the Balkans is illustrative of a broader ambivalence among both French elites and citizens towards the European project. Despite principled support for the Balkans’ EU membership, achieving this step is no strategic priority for France. The official approach emphasizes strict conditionality and a rigorous monitoring of reform progress in aspirant countries. A hostile public opinion and superficial media coverage further strengthen the country’s reluctance to admit new, possibly unprepared candidates into the Union. Analysing the historical evolution of the French position on EU enlargement as well as its current political, institutional and societal expressions, this article construes France’s disinvestment from the Balkans’ EU perspective as the result of failed expectations and a growing disillusionment with the EU’s international role and its political future more broadly. Mehr anzeigen
Persistenter Link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000225309Publikationsstatus
publishedExterne Links
Zeitschrift / Serie
Southeast European and Black Sea StudiesBand
Seiten / Artikelnummer
Verlag
Taylor & FrancisThema
political science; EU enlargement; France; Western Balkans; foreign policyOrganisationseinheit
03714 - Schimmelfennig, Frank / Schimmelfennig, Frank