Against a backdrop of increasing uncertainty, upheaval and ongoing crises, the debate on EU enlargement has gathered momentum again, with the focus on geopolitical and economic objectives. In addition to Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Turkey, the Western Balkan countries of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia are currently candidates for accession. The social dimension and social dialogue have not been given the necessary consideration, however. ÖGB Europabüro and AK EUROPA recently organised an event dedicated to this issue. The focus was on the panel discussion "It’s Time for Social Integration – How to Build up Social dialogue in the Western Balkans".

The CETUN Project
The newly established network and EU project CETUN was presented at the beginning of the event. Trade unions from Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland are represented in CETUN. The network will campaign at EU level for the common concerns of its members, which are often of a cross-border nature. Networking meetings and joint seminars will be held regularly between March 2024 and February 2026. Martin Hojni, Austria's representative to the EU's Political and Security Committee, emphasised the importance of the Western Balkans region. Tea Jarc, board member of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and Slovenian trade unionist, stressed that the topic of enlargement and therefore also CETUN was of particular concern to her. One focus should be on the implementation of the EU Minimum Wages Directive. Monika Uhlerova, President of the Confederation of Trade Unions of the Slovak Republic (KOZ SR), emphasised the common interests and values of the trade unions represented by CETUN.

Promotion of social dialogue in the Western Balkans
In his video address, Wolfgang Katzian, President of ÖGB and ETUC, emphasised that trade union networks are more important than ever. The open labour market and transnationally operating companies bring challenges that can only be countered with the help of international cooperation. With regard to the Western Balkans, the expansion of social dialogue and common social standards must become an integral part of the accession process. After all, high collective bargaining coverage and strong employee representation are prerequisites for higher wages and improved social conditions and thus also for keeping the EU's promise of prosperity. Čedanka Andrić, President of the Serbian Independent Trade Union Confederation and Vice-President of ETUC, confirmed that social dialogue on par is often difficult in the Balkan regions. Oliver Röpke, EESC President, pointed out that in Austria, it was only thanks to the active involvement of the social partners that accession was met with broad public approval.

EU enlargement for all
Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, pointed out that there is currently a certain amount of enlargement fatigue. Only if the social promise of the EU, namely growing prosperity, is realised can the support of the population in the EU be won. And this would only be possible with a strong social pillar, on which the stability of the region would also depend. He made it clear that there must be no social cuts in either the candidate countries or the EU and that social rights must be better anchored as fundamental rights in the EU as a whole. In this context, Čedanka Andrić noted that the acceptance of the population in the candidate countries also depends on an improvement in living standards. Finally, Oliver Röpke emphasised that social criteria should be a central component of the accession processes.

Step by step 
All panellists stressed the importance of gradually integrating potential new Member States. Oliver Röpke pointed out that the EESC already offers organised civil society and the social partners from the candidate countries, a platform to actively participate in EU policy. Nicolas Schmit mentioned the current growth plan for the Western Balkans, which, with a credit line of 6 billion Euros is not yet sufficient, but does represent an important political signal. After all, investments are needed in the region starting now. Čedanka Andrić reminded that the Western Balkans region had been neglected for a long time. Accession processes had been viewed primarily as a technical matter. However, successful integration requires a change in society and an increase in living standards, also in view of the acute labour shortage in the region.

Further information:
Photo gallery of the event
European Parliament: The Western Balkans
6 billion euros for the Western Balkans: Commission welcomes political agreement on growth plan
European Parliament: The Western Balkans
European Council: EU enlargement policy