In his article for GR Diplomatic Review on the increased competition between different international actors for influence in the Western Balkans, Bledar Feta underlines that: “The EU should formulate and employ a more effective enlargement strategy in the region, one with concrete milestones. The delays in the EU accession process, and the lack of a realistic road map for convergence between the region and the EU, has created space in which other powers like Russia and China can operate. The

region’s western orientation should not be taken for granted. A number of players in the region have, while continuing to proclaim their loyalty to a pro-Western strategic orientation, proven rather easily to sway away from western values and towards supporting anti-democratic forces. The EU thus needs to re-engage with the region on a new basis, taking into consideration the new realities which the Russian and Chinese presence has brought into being”.

Click to read the article, in Greek.