Competing for Influence: EU-China Strategic Engagement in the Western Balkans

The European Union (EU) has significant historical, political, economic, and cultural ties with the Western Balkan states. Integrating the Western Balkan states into the EU is crucial for the region and the EU, strengthening European security as regional developments directly impact the EU. Unlike China, which views the Western Balkans as an economic opportunity, the EU prioritizes democratic governance, the rule of law, and reform-linked financial aid. However, China's influence in the region affects not only the EU’s ability to shape policies and governance, but also the approaches and performance of regional and non-regional actors (like the EU, the US, and Russia). This paper examines the competing agendas of the EU and China in the Western Balkans, highlighting how their differing approaches create policy dilemmas for the region’s states.