ASSESSING THE ROLE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION'S ENLARGEMENT POLICY TOWARDS CANDIDATE COUNTRIES

Abstract

This article explores the role of human rights in the process of enlargement of the European Union (EU) and its impact on candidate countries. The EU pays considerable attention to the protection and promotion of human rights, making them a fundamental aspect of its values and principles. Through the adoption of framework conditions such as the Copenhagen Criteria, the EU evaluates the acceptability of candidate countries based on their commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights and minority rights. The article highlights the progress made in promoting human rights in the EU enlargement process and discusses the importance of effective monitoring and dialogue mechanisms to ensure compliance with human rights standards. The EU uses tools such as progress reports and assessments to assess the progress of candidate countries and engage in constructive dialogue to promote necessary reforms. To analyze the impact of human rights on the EU accession process, this study focuses on three candidate countries: Albania, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.