Quality of Life (Banja Luka) 4(1-2): 31-40

PROCESS OF COOPERATION - THE EUROPEAN UNION AND WESTERN BALKANS

MANJA DJURIC
Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
e-mail: sainttropez83@yahoo.com

Abstract: The most important achievement of cooperation between the European Union and the countries of the Western Balkans is a viable and sustained political dialogue. The institutionalization of the dialogue with the European Union called for better communication between the countries in the region, candidate and potential candidate countries for member- ship of the disadvantaged in the process of integration. The processes of cooperation facilitated the development of the region through enhanced cross-border regional cooperation and contributed greatly to attracting international support by mediating between those who need help and those who are willing to provide help. Regional initiatives are addition to the European integration process and not a substitute for the inclusion of the Western Balkans into the European Union.

Key words: Cooperation, the European Union, the Western Balkans.