Ethnic conflict and EU enlargement : a case study of Serbia

Abstract

This dissertation aims to link the issue of ethnic conflict to EU enlargement policy. The consequences of ethnic clashes often lead to breaches in human rights. In the Copenhagen criteria, the EU declares the paramount need for the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities in order for a country to join the bloc. Ethnic conflict often results in breaching these criteria. Using Serbia as a case study, this research deals with how the European Union views the issue of ethnic conflict and whether the first Copenhagen criterion is truly applied in enlargement processes. This study uses process-tracing techniques as the main methodological tool in an attempt to understand the research question. Based on empirical research, this study points to the conclusion that ethnic conflict needs to be resolved on a domestic and regional level in order for negotiations to initiate. Serbia proved to be a good example of how EU negotiations tackle ethnic conflict in an enlargement process since ethnic conflict in Serbia is a recent affair with negotiations currently taking place.