EU should use the potential of the Western Balkans in defense

The news platform Dnevni evropski servis recently published an article based on the latest thematic report of the think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration initiative, titled “Europe’s Overlooked Allies: Why the Western Balkans Matter for EU Defence Readiness”. The report is co-authored by Dr. Ana Krstinovska and Dr. Alessandro Marrone, and published with the support of the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans.

The article highlights the strategic importance of the Western Balkans for the EU’s defence readiness amid a shifting security landscape shaped by the war in Ukraine and evolving transatlantic relations. The region, though not yet part of the EU, has emerged as a valuable defence partner—contributing to EU missions, enhancing military mobility, and aligning with the Union’s defence priorities in areas such as drone systems, logistics, and artillery production. Analysts Ana Krstinovska and Alessandro Marrone argue that these contributions, alongside growing investments in national defence and industrial capabilities, make the Western Balkans indispensable allies in strengthening European resilience and autonomy.

The article underlines that the report calls for a more integrated EU approach that links defence cooperation with enlargement policy. It recommends opening formal pathways for regional participation in EU defence initiatives, investing in dual-use infrastructure and defence industries, and fostering long-term partnerships between Western Balkan and EU defence firms. Crucially, the authors advocate using defence collaboration as a strategic incentive to accelerate integration, while reinforcing rule of law and anti-corruption reforms to ensure the responsible use of increased defence funding.

You can read the article in Serbian here.