Number 5/2023: The Western Balkans. A bridge from Europe to Europe?

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The September-October 2023 issue of New Eastern Europe is now available. Find out what’s inside and how to get your copy.

September 12, 2023 –
New Eastern Europe
–
Number 5 2023Review

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The ongoing war in Ukraine has brought the debate over Europe’s future back to the Western Balkans region, which not long ago also experienced the brutality of war, massacres and hatred, leading to ethnic cleansing as well as physical devastation. and long-term trauma and division. Indeed, the Balkan wars, fought in the 1990s between the nations of a formerly federal state, are a cruel reminder of the dangers of unchecked ethnic nationalism and what a weapon it can become in the hands of narcissistic leaders. European countries have too often seen the consequences of such emotions.

The creation of the European Community, and then the European Union, was intended to ensure that such violence would never return. Thus, the experience of the Western Balkans and the struggle of their states to integrate into the EU is the story of a Europe which – at the same time is haunted by its often brutal past and – establishing links with others – frees itself from it. So why, some will say, are the states of the region still in the waiting room of the spacious European house? Why have they been there for so long and does the war in Ukraine have an effect on their European journey?

One answer is that past mistakes (also made by the West) have led to an unfavorable status quo and therefore need to be rethought. This is particularly true for the Serbia-Kosovo conflict which clearly requires a fresh look and an approach that would nevertheless be acceptable to both sides. Serbia, in particular, is a country to keep on the radar, mainly because of its population’s weariness with the long and mundane process of EU integration. Failures in this process can easily and effectively be exploited by Russia, which traditionally holds a strong position within the country and continues to promote anti-EU and anti-NATO narratives. But these messages go beyond borders and in many cases even reach established democracies like Slovenia.

All these subjects are addressed in the pages of this issue by our authors specializing in the region and, through their writings, highlight some key developments and phenomena to follow. Their views may differ, but they all show that even though the eyes of the international community are overwhelmingly focused on Ukraine, the story is not yet over in the Western Balkans. The experiences of this region must be treated equally seriously and addressed adequately. Also in Brussels and Washington.

Content

The Western Balkans and Europe

Twenty years later. Revealing the hidden cause of the delay in the European integration of the Western Balkans Antonios Nestoras
Cake Donuts and Western Diplomacy Leon Hartwell
Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. A state of perpetual stagnation Visar Xhambazi
Serbia continues to walk the tightrope Marta Szpala
The (fading) influence of Russia Katarina Tadic
Nationalism remains a powerful force in Bosnia and Herzegovina Hikmet Karčić
Jewish connections in the Balkans and Eastern Europe Adam Balcer
Former Yugoslav nations deserve peace Interview with Gojko Božović