In the light of recent developments in the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, the Balkans-Ukraine Cooperation Network (BUCN) advocates for a new approach to EU enlargement strategy. BUCN believes that Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine has profoundly impacted Europe and the global order and that this new geopolitical reality requires a more proactive approach to EU enlargement.

“The BUCN has shared it’s perspective on the matter with a position paper to EU institution, proposing a new approach that would establish support for full-fledged European integration of the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia and review the broken EU accession process based on common vision values and joint interests. This would ensure security and prosperity on the European continent and eliminate barriers that may divide Europe.” – said Uliana Bakh, one of the authors of the position paper. 

“The Network believes that this new approach would create mutual reinforcement, creating a homogenous and unified approach to all future members of the union, while also enhancing cooperation toward democratic transformation and strengthening the geopolitical, security and economic perspectives of the European Union. It would also create conditions for more efficient use of the European Union’s financial instruments designed to support the enlargement process.” – said Mykhailo Samus, one of the authors of the position paper. 

Authors of the Position statement on EU enlargement strategy to Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia in the new geopolitical reality are Uliana Bakh and Mykhailo Samus. Input, support, and cross-review was received from: Amb. Valeri Chechelashvili, Adnan Cerimagic, Kateryna Shymkevych, Samir Ibisevic, Volodymyr Solovian, Darko Obradovic, Ljubomir Filipovic, Marianna Prysiazhniuk, Olena Yurchenko, Radu Carp, Andrii Kryshtal.

Position statement was endorsed by PROI association, Youth Advocacy Board, Boris Divkovic Foundation (Bosnia and Herzegovina), New Geopolitics Research Network, Analytical Centre for Balkans Study, National Ukrainian Youth Association, ADASTRA Think Tank, StopFake (Ukraine), NGO LEGIS Skopje, Horizon Civitas (North Macedonia), Center for Strategic Analysis (Serbia), The Balkan Forum (Kosovo) and EU Policy Hub (Albania).