"There is no arguing that the Balkan countries are facing their most challenging year at precisely the moment when the EU does not seem thrilled about enlargement", writes M. Djilas in Transitions Online (1) (cf. also this blog, 1.3.2006). Indeed, 2006 will be a key year for the Western Balkans on their way towards the EU: Albania will sign its Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) in June 2006, SAA negotiations could be concluded with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia-Montenegro at the end of the year, the status of Kosovo will be defined by the end of the year, FYROM will get a decision on when to start EU accession talks in November or December, and Croatia will soon start accession negotiations.