The “mini-Schengen” initiative was launched on the premise of good neighborly relations and economic cooperation in the Western Balkans. So far, only four countries have joined: Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania (the original three signatories) and Kosovo. The two remaining countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, have stated that they will remain out on the premise that the mini-Schengen and EU integration are mutually exclusive. This has created obstacles towards the implementation of the initiative. Insofar, the mini-Schengen has made many headlines but has failed to deliver tangible results due to political disagreements, confusion, and lack of coordination and implementation mechanisms.

This policy brief examines the launch of the mini-Schengen and analyzes its future as a regional initiative by taking into consideration a variety of sources. The research methodology involves content analysis of data obtained from a mix of desk research, opinion polls, official documents, and interviews conducted under the Chatham House Rule with experts, researchers, civil society representative, chamber of commerce officials, former ambassadors and politicians from Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia, from January 2021 to March of 2021.

This brief begins with a historical background explaining the origins of the mini-Schengen idea and the reaction from six Western Balkan countries. It pays close attention to Kosovo’s initial rejection to join the initiative and provides information from public polls conducted in December 2020 in Kosovo.