The Rule of Law as the Cornerstone of the EU Project and Its Role in the Instruments for Pre-accession Assistance for the Western Balkans

As the concluding chapter of the book, this contribution synthesises key findings on the European Union’s evolving engagement with rule of law reforms in the Western Balkans, particularly through the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA). It contextualises the rule of law as both a foundational value of the EU and a dynamic, continuously assessed standard in enlargement policy. Drawing on the preceding chapters’ country-specific analysis, this chapter identifies broader trends, shared challenges, and policy implications. This chapter emphasises that while IPA has played a strategic role in shaping legal and institutional reforms, its transformative impact has been uneven. It highlights the limitations of uniform approaches, the gap between formal legal alignment and practical enforcement, and the decisive role of domestic political will. Key recommendations include the need for more credible and enforceable conditionality, stronger integration of civil society in monitoring processes, and a shift toward performance and outcome-based assessments. Ultimately, the chapter argues that rule of law reform is not a one-off accession requirement but a long-term commitment, requiring sustained EU engagement, adaptive strategies, and a balance between legal consistency and political realism.