Özet:

In the long period of history, the Western Balkan region has become a competitive area of great states and international organizations as a result of ethnic problems, social and economic characteristics, as well as its unique geopolitical position. The European Union has taken an active role in this region, which has become the center of major conflicts, human rights violations, migration and competition between different states as a result of the transformation in the international political system in the early 90s, and has focused on ensuring stability and recently the EU has shifted its focus to this region. If the environment of peace and stability cannot be achieved in the region, many problems in the context of social, economic and security will be experienced in the Western Balkans, which has remained within the European Union with the latest enlargements. This study aims to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of possible enlargement for the European Union by revealing the factors that distinguish the Western Balkans from other enlargements in the European Union enlargement process. In the study, first of all, the location of the Balkans region and its political economy will be mentioned, the importance of the region will be emphasized, then the possible Western Balkan enlargement situation will be presented from different perspectives.

Anahtar Kelimeler: