Strategic autonomy, European defense and the role of France in the Western Balkans’ accession to the EU process

Dr. Ana Krstinovska and Romain Le Quiniou, co-authored the op-ed titled “Autonomie stratégique, défense… «La France doit soutenir l’adhésion des Balkans occidentaux à l’UE»” which was published on the French newspaper La Croix. The op-ed is based on the latest thematic report of the initiative think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration (supported by the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans) titled “Europe’s Overlooked Allies: Why the Western Balkans Matter for EU Defence Readiness” which was co-authored by Dr. Ana Krstinovska and Dr. Alessandro Marrone.

The authors of the article highlight the growing strategic importance of the Western Balkans for European defence, emphasizing their evolving role from security consumers to active contributors. They argue that in this changing security landscape, France—traditionally cautious on enlargement—should embrace the region as a key asset for its vision of European strategic autonomy and reindustrialization, reinforcing both its leadership and the EU’s defence readiness.

You can read the article in French here.

The full thematic report explores the strategic importance of the Western Balkans in the context of the EU’s pursuit of strategic autonomy and enhanced defence readiness.It underscores the argument that Western Balkan countries—despite not yet being EU member states—have increasingly proven their value as security contributors and partners. This contribution is both timely and essential as the EU confronts the implications of the war in Ukraine and potential shifts in the transatlantic security relationship. At the EU level, recent initiatives, such as the 2024 European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and the 2025 White Paper on European Defence, aim to enhance collective readiness and industrial capability. Yet, the full potential of regional partnerships—particularly with the Western Balkan region—has not been fully realized, undercutting the ability to leverage and further develop their defence capabilities.

You can read the thematic report here.