Policy Recommendations

Abstract

The recommendations below are based on this book’s research findings and are subdivided into four categories. To start with, they will pinpoint the way ahead with regard to implementation issues of the arbitration award on the Croatian–Slovenian border. Implementation not only depends on the political will of both parties, but also on the ability to amend existing agreements in the Northern Adriatic involving Italy as a third party. Secondly, the recommendations touch on the area of strengthening dispute settlement processes, both in an EU context and with regard to reform of international arbitration. There are a few lessons to be learnt from the Croatia–Slovenia case which must be translated into a more robust dispute resolution infrastructure, both internally within the EU and in view of future arbitration procedures. Third, the recommendations address outstanding bilateral issues relevant to the EU enlargement process in the post-Yugoslav space. Proposals will be outlined as to how to tackle them to steer clear of the risk of Candidate Countries being vetoed by Member States. Lastly, EU accession negotiations must become more credible and predictable, including the operational level. Member States will need to become more responsive by implementing positive and negative rewards based on clear conditionality. Interviewees include Damir Arnaut, Jean Asselborn, Vladimir-Đuro Degan, Tanja Fajon, Dejan Jović, Tanja Miščević, and Aleksandra Tomanić.