Using Candidacy to Entice Further Reform

This paper looks at why Serbia should receive Candidacy Status for European Union membership in light of the European Council decision taken in December 2011. It argues that Serbia can achieve much more vis-à-vis reforms and the adoption of the acquis if its European path is kept open and steadily encouraged, in this case via Candidacy Status. The paper also considers the effects of Kosovo in the overall European integration process of Serbia and how further integration can assist in finding an acceptable solution for both sides.