The Western Balkans still grapple with the aftermath of the wars that took place between 1990 and 2001. While the war-affected countries have developed economically and in terms of institution building and overall stability, the legacy of the conflicts has not been dealt with effectively and still impacts and shapes social relations between different ethnic groups. These underlying social tensions are entrenched in the social fabric of the Western Balkans and are a key factor in regional politics. As such, although the Western Balkans have moved on from the period of violence, they have not yet transformed into peaceful societies. Alongside good governance and economic development, the transformation of these countries into democratic and peaceful societies is an important element in realising their aspiration to become members of the European Union (EU). The explicit aim of the EU’s enlargement policy for the Western Balkans is to firmly anchor peace by restoring trust among citizens and societies, facilitate reconciliation and good neighbourly relations, and ensure lasting stability
