Facing the Asylum-Enlargement Nexus: the Establishment of Asylum Systems in the Western Balkans

Within a remarkably short time, functioning asylum systems wereset up in the countries of the Western Balkans largely thanksto the joint advocacy of and co-operation between UNHCR andthe EU, and, in particular, to the realization of a joint regionalproject implemented by UNHCR 2004–5. This article examinesthe basis and rationale for the two organizations’ involvementin asylum matters in the region and assesses the progress madein 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 succeedin establishing fair and efficient asylum procedures, the realchallenges still lie ahead.