TL;DR: “The Western Balkans belong in the EU,” said the European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Post-Brexit, the EU has renewed its focus enlargement into the Western Balkans. The initiative targets Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, with the ultimate goal of making them EU member states. [1] Challenges exist. These countries have yet to fulfill all necessary reforms for the EU membership. Enlargement seems untimely considering the growing split within the block on many fronts. However, the enlargement represents a crucial step for the European, the EU’s international influence, and regional stability in the Western Balkans. For these reasons, The EU should pursue enlargement into the Western Balkans. The Western Balkans have already established significant economic ties with the EU. The block serves as the most crucial economic partner of the countries in the region. At least 70% of total trades with the Western Balkans occur with the European Union. The dominance furthers on exports, despite the influence of China and Russia. Emigration and remittances also connect the EU with the Western Balkans. The blocks serve as the predominant destination for migration out of the region. It has also become a significant source of remittances, an integral part of the regional economy. The EU has also given more foreign investment to the region more than any other country. [2] In 2020, the European Central Bank pledged €1.7 billion Covid-19 assistance to the area. [1] Considering these economic ties, the EU enlargement into the Western Balkans represents the natural next step for further economic partnership. Joining the single market can become an economic booster for both the block and the region. The enlargement can ensure EU influence in the region. The Western Balkans has emerged as a geopolitical battleground. Russia remains a formidable player in the area. It has tried to align itself with the Western Balkans and competed with the EU influence. China has also extended its “One Road, One Belt” ambition into the area. [3] The EU has seen both countries as competitors, if not rivals. Considering the proximity between the EU and the Western Balkans, the EU must play an active role in shaping the region. Therefore, the enlargement becomes the most powerful tool for the EU to seal its geopolitical dominance over the region. The enlargement can promote regional stability. The Western Balkans have historically seen various conflicts. Some of them remain today, despite the improvements of many bilateral relations. The incentive from the enlargement can promote the countries in the region to settle the disputes permanently. Bilateral relations can thaw between Serbia and Kosovo, between Greece and North Macedonia, etc. [4] These ties can ensure stability in a previously chaotic region. Upon entering office in 2019, President Von der Leyen promised a geopolitical EU Commission. She can fulfill her promise by pursuing the EU enlargement into the Western Balkans. [1]. Tidey, Alice. 2020. "'The Western Balkans Belong In The EU', Says Ursula Von Der Leyen". Euronews, , 2020. https://www.euronews.com/2020/05/06/the-western-balkans-belong-in-the-eu-says-ursula-von-der-leyen. [2]. Dabrowski, Marek, and Yana Myachenkova. 2018. "The Western Balkans On The Road To The European Union". Bruegel. https://www.bruegel.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/PC-04_2018.pdf. [3]. Larsen, Henrik. 2020. "The Western Balkans Between The EU, NATO, Russia And China". CSS Analyses In Security Policy. Center for Security Studies. https://css.ethz.ch/content/dam/ethz/special-interest/gess/cis/center-for-securities-studies/pdfs/CSSAnalyse263-EN.pdf. [4]. Huszka, Beáta. 2020. "The Power Of Perspective: Why EU Membership Still Matters In The Western Balkans". European Council on Foreign Relations. https://ecfr.eu/publication/the_power_of_perspective_why_eu_membership_still_matters_in_western_balkans/.