Zoran Nechev

In the period to 2030, one can expect a major shift in European policy: the emergence of a properly strategic EU. The objective of the study is to shed light on the different national understandings of strategic EU action. Emphasis is placed on four EU member states of crucial importance for the future development and accession path of the Western Balkan countries: France, Austria, Poland, and above all, Germany. Expectations of a strategic EU will vary between member states based on their individual national preferences and geographical location. To be perceived as an autonomous power player on the international scene, the EU also needs to be perceived as such by others – and that includes the Western Balkans. Therefore, Zoran Nechev maps different national understandings of the EU and EU actions in North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania in order to find out how they can best position themselves vis-à-vis the EU and EU member states’ understanding of the European capacity to act.