Western Balkans 2023: From the Thessaloniki Declaration to the Introduction of ETIAS

Analysts caution that with the implementation of ETIAS, the European Union is undermining the progress it made with the Thessaloniki Declaration, which had encouraged Western Balkan countries toward EU membership by clearly articulating their European perspective. The introduction of ETIAS, or electronic visas for entry into the EU, invalidates the enlargement process and contradicts the statements made by European officials, further eroding the already tainted reputation of the EU in the Western Balkans.