International Youth ConferenceKrushevo, 2-09-2011

Political dialogue in the Western Balkan: pleasing the EU or a lesson learned?

Malinka Ristevska JordanovaEuropean Policy Institute - Skopje

Political dialogue

Levels:• International– Multilateral – Bilateral

• National– Position – opposition– Different groups - Inter-ethnic

Post-conflict political dialogue

Concept of “fragile states” Crucial - international involvement Steps

High-level dialogue CSO involvement – exploring options Part of planning of peace- building, nation-

building, state-building Multi-level dialogue → national consensus

EU and political dialogue

• Internally: – Dialogue as a basis for consensus - Part of the

”embedded acquis”• Externalizing the values of the EU – Political dialogue – essential element of EU

bilateral agreements – Promoting human rights and democratic principles

through political dialogue

Specifics Western Balkans

• SAA: – Bilateral political dialogue EU – each country – Regional political dialogue – Bilateral political dialogue between countries• Normalization of relations

Political dialogue – part of political criteria for EU accession?

• CEE’s : – Bilateral political dialogue, Social dialogue,

Intercultural dialogue…– But - no “political dialogue”• Exc. Cyprus 1998 “dialogue between communities”

Political dialogue – part of SAP political criteria for EU accession?

• Between the countries • Internal political dialogue • Inter-ethnic dialogue

• Discussion: Differences between countries?

Countries: Albania

• Lack of political dialogue between political parties (EC Reports 1998-2010) functioning of ParliamentElectionsAppointments

→ No candidacy

Countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina

• “Political dialogue” not in focus? • Functioning of the state • Political obstructionism• Forming a Government

Countries: Croatia

• Political dialogue with neighbours more in focus

• “Dialogue between Croatian authorities and national minorities” – 2005

• Acceding country: political dialogue - no issue?

Countries: Serbia

• Political dialogue with Kosovo in focus• Parliament – Disputes between political parties– “Inflamatory, offensive” language? – Difficult agreement on Rules of Procedure

Countries: Montenegro

• Progress Report 2010: The overall commitment of parliamentary parties to respect parliamentary rules and to hold constructive policy dialogue, in particular on EU integration, remains a solid basis for further democratic development.

Countries: Kosovo

• 2007: There is no strategy for reconciliation andi nter-community dialogue.

• 2010: “Dialogue and reconciliation between communities and the protection and integration of minorities, particularly the Kosovo Serbs, are still areas of concern“

Countries: Macedonia

Political dialogue - a critical point since 2006 Basic meanings:

Dialogue between political parties Parliament – cases: boycotts, Rules of Procedure, Election

Law, Appointments High-level dialogue – counter-argument: undermining the

institutions

Dialogue on implementation of the Ohrid Agreement

Conditionality and Compliance: the case of Macedonia

• Technocratic/Utilitaristic Approach– Ticking the boxes

Compromising accession criteria for a compromise on the name issue?

Further discussion:

• Political dialogue as part of political culture• Does EU accession “automatically” solve the

problem of lack of political dialogue? • Is it just a matter of time? • What to do?