Unraveling the Complexity of EU Enlargement: A Comprehensive Study on the Challenges of Albania's Accession and the Impact of Western Balkan Regional Dynamics

Abstract

The European Union's enlargement process in the Western Balkans represents one of the most intricate and politically sensitive dimensions of contemporary European integration, where traditional accession criteria intersect with complex regional dynamics, historical legacies, and geopolitical considerations. This comprehensive study undertakes a systematic examination of Albania's multifaceted journey toward EU membership, analyzing the intricate web of domestic institutional challenges, transnational ethnic dynamics, and regional stability considerations that collectively shape the country's accession prospects. The research introduces and develops the conceptual framework of the "Albanian factor" - a theoretical construct that encapsulates the transnational dimensions of Albanian identity, political influence, and regional interconnectedness that extend beyond traditional bilateral EU-candidate country relationships. Through a rigorous mixed-methods research design spanning fifteen years of data collection (2009-2024), this study employs triangulated analytical approaches combining quantitative assessment of governance indicators, comprehensive qualitative analysis of policy documents and institutional reports, structured stakeholder interviews with key decision-makers, and comparative case study methodology examining parallel experiences across the Western Balkan region. The quantitative component utilizes longitudinal data from multiple international governance assessment frameworks, including World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, Freedom House democracy indices, European Commission annual progress evaluations, and World Economic Forum competitiveness rankings, while the qualitative analysis encompasses systematic examination of over 200 policy documents, strategic frameworks, and institutional communications.T he research findings reveal a paradoxical pattern of significant institutional transformation coupled with persistent structural challenges that continue to impede full EU integration. Albania achieved unprecedented judicial system reforms through constitutional amendments and comprehensive vetting processes that resulted in renewal of 60% of high-level judicial personnel, while simultaneously struggling with rule of law implementation that consistently scores below the 40th percentile in international governance rankings. Economic competitiveness indicators demonstrate cyclical improvement and decline patterns that reflect both domestic reform effectiveness and external economic pressures, with Albania's Global Competitiveness Index ranking fluctuating between 84th and 109th positions over the study period. The analysis reveals that regional dynamics, particularly the transnational dimensions of Albanian identity and political networks across Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia, create additional layers of complexity that influence EU decision-making processes regarding enlargement strategy and timeline considerations. The study's theoretical contribution lies in demonstrating that contemporary EU enlargement cannot be adequately understood through traditional bilateral analytical frameworks but requires recognition of transnational identity networks, regional stability interdependencies, and evolving EU institutional priorities that collectively shape accession prospects. The research provides evidence-based strategic recommendations for accelerating Albania's integration process while contributing to broader academic understanding of post-Cold War European integration challenges in ethnically complex regions.

Received: 20 April 2025 / Accepted: 2 June 2025 / Published: 25 June 2025