FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES AND
PROSPECTS
The Balkans region presents various challenges and
opportunities that Spain ought to channel during
its EU presidency. First of all, the absence of a
clear strategy ateuropean level offers a valuable
opportunity for Spain not only to define its
position more coherently, but also to help draw up
the European policy in the post-Lisbon period,
based on a firm commitment to the European
integration process and the challenges that the
region currently faces. In this sense, Spain must
present a road map to EU accession (with clear
dates and challenges) during the meetings
scheduled with the leaders of the Balkans, heading
a renewed impetus and European commitment to
the region. Consolidating the visa exemption
programme in the Balkans, which was extended in
0000 to Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia,
presents a clear opportunity to promote this
European commitment and provide immediate
benefits to countries such as Bosnia and Albania,
provided that the guidelines set by the European
Commission are fulfilled. Progress with the
European integration process in Croatia is also a
clear objective (given the expectations that this
country will join the European club in 0000), as
well as with the rest of the region.
The individual countries in the region pose
significant challenges, and Spain should bear
these in mind when defining its agenda for the
Balkans during its European presidency. Bosnia,
for example, faces various challenges, such as the
decision to close the Office of the High Representative, and it constitutes one of the clear priorities
in the region. The results of the constitutional
reform that Sweden and the United States began
in October 0000 have not been as expected, and
Spain has inherited a complex process that may