From burden to asset: reframing the Western Balkans in EU’s strategic thinking

Dr. Ana Krstinovska (Senior Researcher, think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration; Research Fellow, Wider Europe Programme – ELIAMEP) authored the article “From burden to asset: reframing the Western Balkans in EU’s strategic thinking” based on the research findings of ELIAMEP’s pioneering initiative think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration which is supported by OSF-WB. The article was published on the Brussels-based EUalive.

This article examines the need to rethink the role of the Western Balkans in the European Union’s strategic agenda. Moving beyond the traditional perception of the region as a source of instability, it argues that the Western Balkans can contribute meaningfully to the EU’s strategic autonomy. By highlighting the region’s geostrategic position, economic potential, and role in energy and connectivity networks, the analysis underscores the importance of deeper integration and a more credible enlargement perspective. Reframing the Western Balkans as a strategic asset, rather than a burden, is presented as essential for strengthening the EU’s resilience and geopolitical relevance.

You can read the article here.