Re-Conceptualising Conditionality in Enlargement Policy – The Politics of Values in Accession of Serbia

In comparison to other enlargement cycles, Serbia is exposed to a more rigid, conditional and controlled accession process aimed at reshaping the "insufficiently adequate" attributes to fit the EU Member States standards. The "European integration suit" worn by domestic political elites is “re-tailored” not in order to advance but rather to hamper the accession process. Certain European values underpinning the accession process are highlighted so that Serbia’s efforts are oriented in the wanted direction. Values, as the most important constitutional element of norms, dictate how compliance will occur.