Prospects for Extending the European Union to the Countries of the Western Balkans

The main objective of the article is to present the prospect of extending the European Union to the countries of the Western Balkans. It presents the criteria to be met by the candidates for EU accession, followed by an analysis of the most important problems related to the accession process, both those afflicting the Member States (enlargement fatigue – lack of acceptance for further enlargements among societies) and those faced by the Western Balkan countries – lack of political stability, widespread corruption, organized crime, unresolved disputes with neighbours, lack of preparation for functioning in the common market. Subsequently, the perspectives of possible EU enlargements for the Balkan countries are outlined.