This article addresses the problem of the EP’s role in the process of multi-level governance illustrated with the example of EU expansion policy through the accession of the West Balkan states. As an effect of the European integration process, resulting in the transfer of decision-making competences from the state level to the transnational level, nation-states have lost their monopolistic position in the European decision-making process. This has enabled the formation of multi-level political system within the EU. Within the system, there is a multi-level governance model, with the EP as its crucial element. This article reveals an important role of the EP as a transnational decision-making centre, which with its specific competences (giving consent to the accession of a country to the EU, giving consent to sign international agreements crucial for the integration process, budget rights, co-decisions on the form of the EU law with an ordinary law making procedure) considerably forms the policy of the EU in relation to the Balkan countries. The explanation of the policy’s functioning and its outcomes are based on the concept of multi-level governance, which is analyzed herein in depth.

During the last decades, mankind has experienced unprecedented expansion of globalization. In this respect, the process of policy transfer has emerged as a tool of exchanging ideas, policies and administrative arrangements mostly among states and intergovernmental organizations. The aim of this article is to examine policy transfer in terms of city networks. In doing so, the authors have found and researched almost 70 existing city networks in the world. Using Dolowitz and Marsh’s 2000 framework, the authors have researched the areas in which cities co-operate and the subject matters of such cooperation

This article has been inspired by the vision set out in the UN Secretary’s report General Our Common Agenda (2021) and the report of High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism entitled A Breakthrough for People and Planet. Effective and Inclusive Global Governance for Today and the Future (2023). Given the growing role of cities in international relations, the research aim of this article is to answer the question: how to make multi-level governance more effective? The author argues that more effective multi-level governance has to be more inclusive and that cities should be formally included in international decision-making processes. The author also makes the case for the growing role of cities in international relations, cooperation and addressing global problems, including migration, climate change and pandemics such as the recent Covid-19.