Strategic positioning of the Western Balkans countries towards the EU and NATO in the New Millennium
Author: Ena Jusufbegović
Abstract
The primary focus of this paper is on the analysis of the strategic cultures and directions of the Western Balkans countries through the temporal background since beginning of the 21st century. There is a need to compare changes in the geostrategic policies of the Western Balkans countries, given that they are trying to establish ties with international political powers, but also with alliances such as the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This paper discusses the factors and actors that influence the formation of strategic policies of each country in the region, and elaborate on changes in the geopolitical sphere. Democratization enabled the countries of the Western Balkans to open the door towards constructive international cooperation, which has given them the opportunity to choose the political side they prefer. The great challenge lies in overcoming political obstacles and internal turmoil in order to determine the dominant preference for the foreign policy of these states.
Keywords:
- strategic culture,
- integration,
- geopolitics,
- Western Balkans,
- European Union,
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
VPI BH RESEARCH INTERNSHIP paper, Foreign Policy Initiative BH, 2021.
Mentor: Lejla Ramić-Mesihović, PhD
English version PDF* Strategic positioning of the Western Balkans countries towards the EU and NATO in the New Millennium
