Abstract
This paper analyses the successes and failures of regional cooperation in the Western Balkans through the prism of two policy areas: trade policy and employment policy. It investigates the role of the Stability Pact as a policy broker in mediating the policy conflicts between various national and transnational advocacy coalitions in these two areas. It concludes that regional cooperation in the field of trade policy has been less contested than in the field of employment policy. However, there have been failures in each policy area. Regional cooperation in trade policy while ostensibly successful has threatened to widen economic gaps between countries in the region. Regional cooperation in employment policy has been contested and although levels of employment protection have been reduced, expenditure of active employment policies remains low and unemployment rates remain high especially in the less developed countries in the region.
| Translated title of the contribution | The EU approach to regional cooperation: policy success or policy failure? |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Publisher | Charles Schlacks |
| Edition | 31/32 |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |
