Download full issue

Liberal Neutrality and Public Holidays in the Western Balkans

Zhidas Daskalovski, p. 7–28

Abstract: This article focuses on the question of what kind of approach should the liberal state take regarding public holidays in multicultural societies. In particular we argue that these laws deny equal status to citizens of different ethnic backgrounds and interfere with the personal choices of the citizens concerning religion. There are privileges that the laws bestows on citizens with specific ethnic backgrounds, putting members of other ethnic groups, atheists, Christians, Muslims, and Jews, in a disadvantaged position. As a result, the liberal character of the laws is violated. This article analyzes how such circumstances can be avoided by fully implementing liberal neutrality or ‘passive impartiality’ where the government and its institutions – the basic structures – go along in a strictly procedural way and are separated from ideas about the goodlife, as proclaimed and practiced by diverse societal subcultures in society. We explore how the state can be neutral in regard to culture. From the Western Balkan cases we draw conclusions on how liberal neutrality should be applied within the laws on public holidays in multicultural societies.

Keywords: liberal neutrality, multiculturalism, Balkans, Law on public holidays

European Union and the Western Balkans: a Problematic Partnership?

Ladislav Cabada, p. 29–50

Abstract: The paper examines the principal issues of the relationship between the European Union and the Western Balkans. The analysis looks into political implications of conditionality as the prime determiner in the subject’s relationship. Conditionality is being viewed as an unconditional requirement the meeting of which might constitute a prerequisite – albeit not the only one – for the admission of Western Balkan states to the EU. Drawing from an analysis of the development of relationships between the EU and the countries of the Western Balkans, the final part of the paper discusses the (un-)willingness of the EU-28 towards further enlargement as well as the challenges and risks pertaining to the potential long‑term postponement of admitting the Western Balkan states into the EU.

Keywords: European Union, Western Balkans, conditionality, enlargement

European integration as a challenge for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Helena Bauerová, p. 51–65

Abstract: EU enlargement process is focused on clearly defined regions or countries (Turkey, Iceland and Western Balkans). Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the Western Balkan Countries seeking to join the European Union. The situation is very complicated because it is difficult to find a common position in both the political elite and society. We can see consensus that means the entrance to the EU. At the same time, it is especially apparent inability of the political elite to reach agreement on partial steps that are required for entry into the EU. Political elite are quite often motivated by nationalism interests who divided BaH to three parts (Croatian, Serbian and Bosnian). Of course, it is necessary to monitor the position of the European Union. Especially after the accession of Croatia in 2013, EU has changed its attitude towards Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the following paragraphs, text analyzes the local situation of the federal units as well as on the central level of BaH and monitors the influence of EU since 1995 to 2013.

Keywords: Bosnia and Herzegovina, European Union, enlargement process, nationalism, political elite, Copenhagen criteria

European Integration in the Western Balkans: Is Serbia on theRoad to EU Accession?

Adisa Avdić, p. 67–79

Abstract: The EU membership perspective is seen as the most promising way to transform the domestic structures and foster peace and stability in the region of the Western Balkans. Despite the fact, that the EU has become an unchallenged international actor in the region, the process of Europeanization has been slow and many obstacles still remain on the road to full membership. Serbia is taken as a typical case of slow development and resistance to change. The distrustful attitude towards foreign involvement generates a battle between the forces of reform and national protectionism and the last general election proved that nationalism continues to fuel the rhetoric of political elites. The aim of this article is to call attention to the practical and discursive constraints of the EU accession process in Serbia and contribute to the debate over the limitations of the Europeanization process. I will seek to map Serbia’s path towards democratization and European integration in the light of its relations with Kosovo and cooperation with the ICTY.

Keywords: European integration, Serbia, political elites, Kosovo, ICTY

Stabilization of Kosovo as a Way towards the European Union

Hana Hlaváčková, p. 81–106

Abstract: Kosovo became an independent state in 2008. We have witnessed that its de iure autonomy is still not a completed process and causes problems with stabilizationand integration. However, it has become a partner of the European Union in the sense that the EU is trying to stabilize the region and has its own rule of law mission established. Kosovo has become a potential candidate country. In this respect, Kosovo has received extensive development and humanitarian assistance as well as peace‑building and state‑building efforts from the international community itself. As many authors, politicians and NGO partners have explained, the stabilization of Kosovo is the only way to accept this country as part of the EU family. This article maps the current stabilization process and the steps being taken for Kosovo’s further integration into the European Union with a focus on the efforts of the EU and reaction from Kosovo.

Keywords: Kosovo, European Union, EULEX, stabilization and association process, peace building, civil society