Blerim Abedini, Center for Security Studies and Development- Macedonia (CSSD)
The life under pressure has forced the Balkan population throughout history, to undergo reforms ordered by empires and other geopolitical factors. However, Balkans is not only possesses tangent of the EU, but it depends on added, other cross continental powers. Macedonia as a very challenging example, it has bilateral disputes with neighboring countries which are recommendations from the EU and North-Atlantic Alliance. Another example is Serbia within intercontinental influences in Balkan by affecting the EU, NATO, Russia and China.
Balkans as an arena of geopolitical strategies is in confrontation with dual policies. The Peninsula has difficulties to judge the right, and it alerts the status of a ‘SOS’ call. This status as a condition is often rumored as a ‘status quo’ standing, as continuous events from previous centuries.
The life under pressure has forced the Balkan population throughout history, to undergo reforms ordered by empires and other geopolitical factors. So, people were ultimately pressed to continue spreading of national traditions and a socioeconomic progress by implementing previous orders.
Balkan humiliating practices are influenced by geopolitical factors that tend to spread and implement the planned interest in Near East. Today, unofficial says that we hear, are clarifying the EU next necessary step, need to extend new members state of the Western Balkans, regardless of incomplete reforms of these candidates. According to this unofficial says, it is understood a planned duality that includes the concept of definition of the geographical boundaries and creating a strong community.
Based on unofficial statements, incomplete Balkan’s reforms recommendations is not an obstacle to its accession to the European family, which would rearrange programs planned by the EU, as were the necessary conditions for membership of the Western Balkan countries.
However, Balkans is not only possesses tangent of the EU, but it depends on added, other cross continental powers. Macedonia as a very challenging example, it has bilateral disputes with neighboring countries such as recommendations from the EU and North-Atlantic Alliance.
Another example is Serbia within intercontinental influences in Balkan by affecting the EU, NATO, Russia and China. In the other regions that is presented to our attention, is the Middle East War which has neutralized the regional leaderships in decision-making solutions.
Turkey discouraged with EU policies and few states of the North Atlantic Alliance and has set an ultimatum for a new political course in international relations as cooperation with the new alliances into Asian continent. It is concerned that global chaos has resulted political or multilateral disagreements which brought into question the use of nuclear weapon.
Surely the responsibility for the future of the World will reinforce the administration of President Donald Trump, to correct the unilateral policies of the EU. NATO seems, will gradually curb defensive military activities in Europe and will have in consideration to provide a sustainable strategy. In other side, cooperation between geostrategic actors in the Syrian war will be decisive for peace in the world.
It remains to see the war regions in Syria and Iraq, distributed by multinational peacekeeping forces.
Finally, if we observe the full Balkans candidate countries for membership in the EU which are dealing with anti-corruption, there is no exception for second way. Anti-corruption process is recommendation by the EU, the imperative and the unfulfilled task of leaderships from Balkan countries.
Reports from the region indicate that corruption in the Balkans is high, where medias appear as victims for its fighting for every news report. The EU in the future, within full geographical boundaries should revise its chronology of decision-making and change its foreign policy.
Motto remains controversial for a long time, and it tells us that, the mistakes of the past cannot be repeated.
Following graphics are showing Foreign Direct Investment in Southeastern Europe. Main states investors are from North America, European Union and Asia.
Picture 1. Foreign direct Investment- inflows, by region and economy, in South East Europe, 1990-2015. FDI in the Western Balkans countries. Seen, low activities of FDI inflows.
Picture 2. Foreign direct Investment- inflows, by region and economy, in South East Europe, 1990-2015. FDI in Southeastern Europe indicates high percentage of investment comparing to Western Balkan countries.
Charts by CSSD Macedonia 2016