Strategers is pleased to publish the Policy Brief “Breaking the Enlargement Deadlock in the Western Balkans: Is the Growth Plan Sufficient?” authored by Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Stojkov and Prof. Dr. Fatmir Besimi, as part of the College of Europe Policy Brief series. The brief examines the current state of EU enlargement towards the Western Balkans against the backdrop of prolonged accession stagnation and the European Commission’s 2024–27 Growth Plan.

Breaking the enlargement impasse requires a credible roadmap with measurable milestones towards potential EU membership, significantly expanded pre-accession support aligned with EU cohesion policy, stronger performance-based conditionality, and targeted integration into selected EU policy areas. The policy brief discusses why these elements are critical to reinvigorating the accession process, strengthening resilience in the Western Balkans, and countering external influences that undermine reform momentum.