Open up Sesame

Introduction The Western Balkan countries, that represent only 4% of the EU population, are well on the road to stabilization, with the capacity to transform into functional states and to fully integrate into the EU and NATO. Albania has just signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU. This is an election year for the FYR of Macedonia and for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The latter may succeed to adopt constitutional changes prior to the election. It is also an important year for further Croatian and FYR Macedonia talks on accession to the EU, and a key year for Romania and Bulgaria to remove any remaining obstacles to full membership. The talks on the future status of Kosovo, no matter how complex, are being conducted in peaceful manner. Serbia and Montenegro are in the post referendum succession period that opens up space for the completion of the process of adopting states’ legislation in accordance with a new statehood status. Last but not least, Serbia and BH should fulfil their international responsibility towards the ICTY and eventually sign SAAs with the EU. In spite of the news of gloomy prospects for the WB, that recently arrived from the EU Summit in Brussels, and the slowing down of visa liberalization process, the countries, leaders and people of the WB have been demonstrating social and political maturity by making a continuous effort to fulfil membership requirements’. The facts supporting this statement are evident in another round of democratically held elections, enhanced trade liberalization, the settlement of bilateral disputes through a demonstration of the readiness to overtake regional initiatives, up to the recent agreement between WB/SEE countries to set up a Regional Cooperation Council. This form of a greater regionally-owned cooperation framework over the next year and a half will assume the responsibilities