HOLZNER M. - EU Cohesion, Connectivity and Economic Convergence in the Western Balkans (20h)

This course provides students with a clearer understanding of the economic and infrastructural aspects of the Western Balkans' accession to the EU. It provides a thorough analysis of EU cohesion policy and its importance for candidate countries, examining economic convergence and regional disparities in Southeastern Europe. Students will examine the key drivers of economic integration, such as infrastructure investment, connectivity, the Common Regional Market and the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The course also addresses the region's competitiveness and productivity, as well as the political economy of reform implementation, in order to evaluate the different pathways through which the region is integrating into the European Union.