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ABSTRACT
While there exists a large body of literature investigating the European Union’s intervention in the western Balkans, and in particular the influence of so-called ‘enlargement fatigue’, rarely is the western Balkans’ own fatigue towards the EU given serious consideration. This paper examines domestic views about Europe, arguing that aspiring new EU member states have been experiencing various forms of Euroscepticism due to a number of socio-economic, cultural and political factors. The growth of Euroscepticism has helped Russia to play a more assertive and influential role in the region. However, as this paper argues, Euroscepticism is not a rejection of the European perspective and the search for alternatives, but rather a critique of the actual methods, timing and impact of the integration process.
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes on Contributor
Roberto Belloni is professor of International Relations at the University of Trento. Previously he has held teaching and research positions at the University of Denver, Harvard, Johns Hopkins and Queens Belfast. He is interested in various aspects of international intervention in deeply divided societies, with particular focus on south-eastern Europe. (roberto.belloni@unitn.it)