Western Balkans and the European Union Identity: Values, Lifestyles, and European Union Conditionality

Abstract

This paper examines the interplay between the European Union (EU) identity and the identities of countries in the Western Balkans, focusing on shared values, lifestyles, and the role of EU conditionality. It explores how EU-promoted values and lifestyles affects political, social, and economic landscapes in the Western Balkans, especially among the Western Balkan Six (WB6) aspiring for EU membership. Through qualitative case studies of the WB6, the paper analyses the influence of EU conditionality on the adoption of EU values and lifestyles, highlighting the comparison and dynamics of identity transformation during the EU integration process. By drawing on media interviews with policymakers, EU officials, and local stakeholders, as well as policy documents and academic literature, the paper discusses how EU conditionality shapes national identities in the region. It also addresses the challenges and opportunities these countries face in aligning with EU values, presenting obstacles to integration and opportunities for deeper engagement with the EU framework. The findings contribute to understanding the complexities of the EU’s enlargement policy, emphasising the strategic importance of the Western Balkans for the future of EU integration.