The role of EU enlargement for the Balkans

Dejan Verčič, professor for public relations at the University of Ljubljana, reflects in a commentary for Delo newspaper on the significance of the Balkans for Slovenia. "Peace in our neighbourhood can be compared to a ride on a bicycle. As long as the countries between Ljubljana and Athens keep moving in the direction of full EU membership, everything is fine. ... But if they had to stop they would probably fall to the ground. And that can happen at any time. After the Irish No to the Treaty of Lisbon, further EU enlargement in the western Balkans is unlikely in the near future. ... That is bad news for Slovenia. ... Peace brings growth, and the hopes of many Slovenian banks and businesses ... that they will finally start to profit. ... Slovenia's strategy has been known for a long time. It runs: leave us in peace. But what will happen if peace no longer exists among our neighbours?"

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