Selim Ibraimi- Insecurity persists in the Balkans. Yet, the EU and the US have been and continue to be present in the region. This is despite the weak will of Balkan governments. They do not want to submit to reforms and resolve open historical issues. Over the past three decades, the US and the EU have been active in the Balkans. They have helped governments with financial means. They have also provided donations. Some have used them wisely to one day become part of the union and some have not. From this perspective, Albania and Montenegro have moved forward. By 2030, only a few countries will be fortunate enough to join the EU. These countries include Montenegro and Albania. Others who are still wasting time will face unexpected crises.
Brussels demonstrated its commitment to the integration process at the last EU Summit on the Balkans. However, Balkan governments must do more with the help of the EU. The EU has maintained its presence in the Balkans. Regional governments criticize Brussels for not doing enough. They also say it is too bureaucratic. Brussels has approved a financial package that amounts to 6 billion euros. The European Commission (EC) has also approved the “Enlargement Package.” It offers “a detailed assessment of the situation and progress made by the Western Balkan countries.” Therefore, some Balkan presidents and prime ministers make remarks and accusations. They claim the EU is not sufficiently present in the region. These claims are in vain.
The focus since 1991 for the EU has been on fundamental reforms. As we approach the transition to 2025, this focus remains crucial. Governments themselves have stalled, through no fault of the EU. In the absence of implementation of reforms, criticisms about the speed of enlargement are directed at the EU itself. Both the US and the EU have engaged in the region since the breakup of Yugoslavia. They participate in peacekeeping or military missions. But the complex political, religious, and ethnic dynamics of the region often challenge Western solutions. This leads to protracted negotiations and tense relations between states. This is the case between Kosovo and Serbia, or Bulgaria and North Macedonia.
In the last three decades, Western chancelleries have been more present in the Balkans. This is in contrast to their presence in the years after World War II. As we emphasized above, this presence includes concrete projects. The lack of change in some Balkan states is not the fault of the EU. The current political and ethnic factors, including historical ones, have caused this decline. These factors have also slowed economic progress in the region. It should also be noted that the Balkans is a region with diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic mixtures. Despite the concessions since 1991, the EU has significantly helped the region. It is known that the region’s people have a bad history of relations with each other. These relations have contributed to the growth of tensions and rivalries not only between the peoples of the Balkans. Given the factors as mentioned earlier, officials in Brussels view the Balkans as a bridge between East and West. They see potential in economic development and rapprochement towards EU unification. This approach can reduce the danger posed by the hotbeds of conflict for Europe. Finally, while other internal and external European issues take shape and gain significance, the Balkans remain on the EU agenda. European diplomats and officials confirmed this once again at the last meeting.
Balkan nations and policymakers need to consider all options for cooperation. They should maintain the declared course towards the EU. They must also offer solutions to open issues. Otherwise, with the eventual failure to enter the EU, Balkan governments will not have many arguments against the EU. Under these conditions, the region will become a cold zone between states. It will also be a cold zone in relations with the EU and with the US. So, 2025 should be a year of concrete actions by Skopje, Pristina, and Belgrade. Otherwise, the entire Balkans is threatened by a new division with consequences for everyone. As we have analyzed in our previous articles, right-wing parties are rising in the EU and the Balkans. The dark past influences current policies and poses a risk for the region and partly for the EU. But let’s hope for a good result in 2025 and beyond.
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