The strategic importance of the Balkans for the European Union

The idea of forming the European Union emerged in the 14th century. The pioneers of this formation were philosophers, jurists, and politicians. Establishing a union in Europe took time, and bringing states together was not an easy task. The European Union, formerly known as the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), had six founding members. There are various agreements that have contributed to the development and enlargement of the EU. The current number of members in this community has reached 27 with the accession of Croatia. Countries aspiring to become EU members must comply with the normative criteria, namely the Maastricht and Copenhagen Criteria. In the globalized world, for the EU to assert its power effectively in the region, not only economically and commercially but also politically, socially, militarily, and geopolitically, absolute dominance must be achieved. The Balkans are a region connected to Europe, occupying a significant position with its strategic and geopolitical location between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Its unique and strategic position has been the most crucial factor in its history of invasions. Throughout history, numerous civilizations, empires, and states have fought for dominance in this area. Even today, global powers are trying to establish their influence in the Balkans. The region's wars, internal conflicts, political instability, border issues, and criminal activities are significant factors affecting its image. After the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the EU intensified its efforts to increase its influence in the region. Efforts were made to support the accession of countries in the region to the EU and initiate the necessary processes. The primary aim of the EU's accession process for Balkan countries was the desire to create a comprehensive power in Europe. Starting with the Western Balkans, the EU membership process has been expanded to include Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, considering the factor of Russia. Balkan states need to take confident steps to fulfill the necessary integration and conditions for EU membership. Keywords: EU Enlargement Policy, EU Balkan Strategy, Balkan Integration into the EU