When the Power of Realpolitik Overcomes the Power of Norms – EU Enlargement at a Dead End

Petrović Milenko (National Centre for Research on Europe, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand), milenko.petrovic@canterbury.ac.nz

Drawing on the positive experience of the 1993 Copenhagen accession conditions on the post-communist democratization of countries in East Central and Baltic Europe, Ian Manners defined “Normative Power Europe” (NPE) as the EU’s ability to spread its international influence by relying on the power of its norms, rather than the political power of its member states. the author argues that, since the onset of enlargement fatigue in the mid-2000s, the relevance of the EU’s normative power has faded, and realpolitik has once again become the determining factor in its foreign policy. Without clear prospects for EU accession, numerous initiatives to resolve key stability and security issues in the Western Balkans (WB) have produced mixed or no results. the author concludes that the sudden “expansion” of the enlargement process, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to countries lagging behind the WB candidates in meeting EU norms and standards has further undermined NPE and emphasized the importance of the EU’s (weak) political power and realpolitik in relations with these countries. Such an approach is unlikely to secure regional stability, effectively promote peace and democracy, or provide a clear EU membership perspective.

Keywords: European Union, normative power, enlargement, Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership, EU membership