EU Enlargement


Western Balkans on Path to EU Accession

The Western Balkans, which are at the heart of Europe, geographically surrounded by EU Member States, share the strategic goal of becoming EU members. The EU accession process is at the centre of EU-Western Balkans relations. As many EU leaders said on a number of occasions, “The European Union is not complete without the Western Balkans”.

The conditions for establishing these relations were first laid down in Council Conclusions in April 1997 (conclusions on the application of conditionality).

In 1999, the EU Council established the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP). It was confirmed that the countries of the Western Balkans would be eligible for EU membership if they met the criteria established at the Copenhagen European Council in June 1993.

The “Copenhagen Criteria” include political, economic and political/administrative requirements and set the standards that countries that wish to join the EU need to meet.

Since then, the EU has continuously underlined its determination to support the Western Balkans on their path towards European integration. Separately from ongoing accession processes, EU leaders also hold regular summits with their Western Balkans counterparts reaffirming the Union’s determination to intensify further its engagement with the region and welcoming the pledge of the Western Balkan partners to carry out necessary reforms. The summits are the most important political meetings between the EU and Western Balkans leaders.

The EU also holds other meetings with the Western Balkans partners, including:

  • Stabilisation and Association Councils
  • Informal exchanges at ministerial level in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council
  • EU-Western Balkans ministerial forums on justice and home affairs


Stabilisation and Association Agreement

The Stabilisation and Association Agreement constitutes the framework of relations between the European Union and the Western Balkan countries for implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Process. The agreements are adapted to the specific situation of each partner country and, while establishing a free trade area between the EU and the country concerned, they also identify common political and economic objectives and encourage regional co-operation. In the context of accession to the European Union, the agreement serves as the basis for implementation of the accession process.

All Western Balkan countries have signed its Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAA) with the European Union (Communities). SAA will remain in force until signing of the Accession Treaty, when the candidate country is ready to fully implement the Acquis, and when the EU confirms it has achieved necessary level for absorbing new member states.

Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia have started membership talks. Bosnia and Herzegovina was granted candidate status and Kosovo is a potential candidate for EU membership.

North Macedonia’s Stabilisation and Association Agreement has been ratified, and it entered into force on 1 April 2004.

EU – North Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council

To review the progress of EU-North Macedonia relations under the stabilisation and association process, representatives from the EU and North Macedonia meet in the EU-Republic of North Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council.

As of March 2023, there have been 16 Stabilisation and Association Council meetings between the EU and North Macedonia. At the latest meeting, which was held on 17 March 2023 in Skopje, participants discussed relations between the EU and North Macedonia and took stock of progress in the accession strategy, including the political, economic and EU-law criteria for EU membership.

Stabilisation and association council meetings usually are preceded by the meetings of the Committee for Stabilisation and Association and its seven Subcommittees and Special WG on Public Administration Reforms.

After first Intergovernmental Conference IGC was opened[1], SAA bodies are blending SAA related activities with the accession negotiations, meaning, screening reports and negotiation positions, opening, interim and closing benchmarks, as well as corrective measures. 

[1] Official opening of the accession negotiations on 19 July 2022, with the First Political IGC

Border Management Cooperation

To manage migratory flows, counter illegal immigration and tackle cross-border crime, the EU and North Macedonia have concluded an agreement on broader cooperation on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). The agreement allows Frontex and North Macedonia to conduct joint operations and for Frontex staff to carry out border checks and register persons.

The agreement with North Macedonia entered into force on  1 April 2023.

    European Peace Facility

    Under the European Peace Facility, an instrument aimed at preventing conflict and strengthening international security, the EU has adopted assistance measures to support North Macedonia’s army. The measures also help to strengthen North Macedonia’s capacities to participate in EU security and defence operations and reflects the EU and North Macedonia’s consistent commitment to cooperate in this area, with a view to a full alignment of North Macedonia with the EU’s common foreign and security policy.

    In June 2022, the Council also adopted assistance measures to benefit the Balkan medical task force, which includes procuring the necessary equipment and material for the medical units of North Macedonia’s armed forces. The aim is to strengthen military medical capabilities and civilian relief efforts in the Western Balkans region.