This policy brief examines the persistence of high-level corruption and state capture as key obstacles to EU accession in the Western Balkans. It finds that, despite substantial legislative alignment with EU standards and sustained international financial assistance, anti-corruption reforms continue to face weak enforcement, political interference, and limited institutional coordination, resulting in a significant gap between formal compliance and tangible governance outcomes.
Drawing on SELDI monitoring findings, EU enlargement and rule-of-law assessments, and regional policy analysis, the brief evaluates the role and effectiveness of EU conditionality and financial support in advancing anti-corruption reforms and strengthening rule-of-law institutions. It highlights that reform efforts often prioritise legislative adoption over implementation and measurable impact. The publication outlines policy recommendations aimed at strengthening institutional independence, linking EU assistance to performance-based anti-corruption benchmarks, enhancing transparency through digital governance tools, and reinforcing civic oversight as essential elements for sustainable reform and credible EU enlargement progress.
