Publications

This factsheet highlights how the Western Balkans (WB) can strengthen European defence readiness, both in terms of operational delivery and industrial capacity, provided they are integrated in EU’s policy thinking and key existing and emerging initiatives.

The report “Europe’s Overlooked Allies: Why the Western Balkans Matter for EU Defence Readiness” explores the strategic importance of the Western Balkans in the context of the European Union’s pursuit of strategic autonomy and enhanced defence readiness. The report argues that, despite not yet being EU member states, Western Balkan countries have increasingly demonstrated their value as security contributors and partners. This role is both timely and essential as the EU faces the consequences of the war in Ukraine and potential shifts in the transatlantic security relationship.

With war raging on the European Union’s eastern border and the bloc seeking to redefine its geopolitical identity, another political transformation is unfolding within: the growing influence of radical right and Eurosceptic parties. Once largely marginalised actors, these forces are now increasingly reshaping Europe’s political priorities from within national parliaments and Brussels. This report takes stock of the growing influence of radical right and Eurosceptic political forces within the EU and examines the implications for EU enlargement policy. By shedding light on the developments in several EU member states, this report aims to map the challenges that these dynamics are likely to pose for the rejuvenated momentum on EU enlargement…

This factsheet provides a condensed outline on how the growing influence of radical right and Eurosceptic parties is reshaping EU politics—and what this means for the future of EU enlargement.

Despite steps toward military normalization, Germany remains a security recipient—de facto still reliant on American forces stationed on its territory. This enduring dependence complicates its aspirations for strategic autonomy and limits its ability to fully transition into a leadership role in global security. Historically, Germany emphasized a strictly civilian and normative foreign policy approach. The shift toward military engagement—symbolized by the Kosovo

intervention and later reaffirmed by the Zeitenwende—marks a significant but still contested reorientation.

The successful EU accession process relies on three key elements: first, a credible promise of membership in a reasonable timeframe; second, comprehensive negotiations during which candidate countries align their legal frameworks with EU standards; and third, substantial financial and technical assistance aimed at supporting necessary reforms and convergence. With eroding credibility of the promise of membership, several models aimed at adapting the three key elements have been proposed, including single market membership and staged accession. Each offered different pathways for closer integration with the EU.

When asked about the concerns that drive them regarding the future of their respective countries, youth in Southeast Europe place corruption and unemployment at the top. This is the result of the representative Southeast Europe Youth Study 2024 commissioned by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, which surveyed the attitudes, hopes, and concerns of young people in twelve countries.