Internal Divisions and Social Cohesion - Obstacles in the EU Accession Process. The Experience of the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova

Doi: https://doi.org/10.58603/YDYI4024

Abstract: The process of integration into the European Union represents a strategic objective for many of the states in the Western Balkans, including the Republic of Moldova, regions situated at the crossroads between Europe and the former Soviet spaces. Although EU membership brings numerous economic, political, and security benefits, it also entails a series of internal challenges, some of the most significant being related to internal divisions and social cohesion—major obstacles in the accession process, as the success of integration largely depends on the internal political and social cohesion of the candidate states. In the case of the Western Balkans, ethnic, religious, and national divergences, fueled by post-communist conflicts, continue to undermine the stability of the region. In many Balkan states, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Montenegro, the process of reconciliation between ethnic and national groups is incomplete, and nationalism and separatism continue to influence domestic politics and external relations. These divisions are a significant factor affecting the EU accession process for some of these countries, despite progress in certain areas. Regarding the Republic of Moldova, internal divisions are reflected in the complex context of the relations between pro-European and pro-Russian forces, fueled by the unresolved conflict in Transnistria and the historical and cultural ties with the Russian Federation. While Moldova expresses its commitment to European integration, these internal divisions complicate the reform process and the strengthening of state institutions, and public opinion remains polarized, which can affect political stability and, implicitly, the European path. Thus, both in the case of the Western Balkans states and in the case of the Republic of Moldova, social cohesion plays an essential role in ensuring a favorable climate for the reforms necessary for EU accession.
This article aims to highlight the impact of social division and social cohesion on the integration process of the Western Balkans states, including the Republic of Moldova, into the European integration space.