Abstract
The article analyzes the adaptation of the legislation of the Western Balkan states to the acquis of the European Union as a tool for modernizing public administration systems in the context of European integration transformations. It is determined that the EU acquis performs the function of regulatory approximation and acts as a mechanism for institutional influence on the reform of public administration, the development of strategic planning, increasing the transparency of management procedures and strengthening the administrative capacity of government bodies. It is found that national acquis adaptation programs, negotiating chapters, screening and benchmarking procedures form a structured basis for legislative harmonization and practical implementation of European governance standards. The main directions of implementation of the EU acquis in the areas of public procurement, public finance management, civil service, e-governance, anti-corruption policy and ensuring the rule of law are considered. It is proven that the mentioned reforms contribute to the professionalization of public administration, the development of electronic services, the improvement of budget planning, the increase of accountability of government bodies and the strengthening of institutional stability. It is substantiated that the effectiveness of the adaptation of the EU acquis depends not only on the formal harmonization of legislation, but also on the level of political support for reforms, human resources, financial resources, the effectiveness of law enforcement and the ability of states to overcome corruption and administrative barriers. The conclusions are drawn that the EU acquis is an important factor in the modernization of public administration in the Western Balkans; however, its transformational potential is realized only under the condition of a comprehensive combination of legal, institutional, personnel and organizational changes.
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