International Journal of Refugee Law Advance Access originally published online on July 17, 2008
International Journal of Refugee Law 2008 20(3):413-431; doi:10.1093/ijrl/een025
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Facing the Asylum-Enlargement Nexus: the Establishment of Asylum Systems in the Western Balkans
* Senior Regional Protection Officer, UNHCR's Regional Representation for the Baltic and Nordic countries. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author in her personal capacity and do not necessarily reflect the official position of UNHCR
Within a remarkably short time, functioning asylum systems were set up in the countries of the Western Balkans largely thanks to the joint advocacy of and co-operation between UNHCR and the EU, and, in particular, to the realization of a joint regional project implemented by UNHCR 2004–5. This article examines the basis and rationale for the two organizations’ involvement in asylum matters in the region and assesses the progress made in relation to asylum building. It also identifies best practices, some of the challenges encountered and suggests the way forward. It argues that, although the international community did succeed in establishing fair and efficient asylum procedures, the real challenges still lie ahead.