International Youth Conference Krushevo, Political dialogue in the Western Balkan: pleasing the EU or a lesson learned? Malinka Ristevska Jordanova European 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 )  functioning of Parliament  Elections  Appointments → 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?