The EU still retains its popularity in the Western Balkans – because of its holistic strategy, which includes a far-reaching plan for the future of all Western Balkan countries, and no other stakeholder can offer that at the moment, but the EU is not the only alternative. The Balkans and especially not the Republic of North Macedonia.
The existence of alternative actors and models is certainly one of the benefits of the country, especially in case the EU does not adhere to the enlargement strategy. In this way, China can be presented as an alternative to the EU – and this should be thoroughly considered by building links in everything – from infrastructure and energy to culture, media and politics. The CSRA would like to explore this alternative, even just to the extent that the country’s convergence with China would have an impact on the country’s sustainable political and economic development.