English

If the EU neglects the Balkans, everything is possible

If there won’t be further EU enlargement, the region will face a horrific scenario. Having in mind that there are some kinds of minor security threats, I’m afraid the new crisis in the Western Balkans is likely to happen. What I like to see is the USA’s focus on the region, because whenever we were not in the spotlight, the region’s stability was at stake, Prof. Dr Dragan Đukanović of the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade, told in an interview for Dnevne Novine daily.

Mr Đukanović emphasized that Brussels sent a bad message by refusing to set a date for accession talks of Albania and North Macedonia.

Speaking about Montenegro and its position in the region, Prof. Đukanović stressed the fact that the USA and the international community considered Montenegro as a good example for the region.

He said: “After it [Montenegro] restored its independence, fostered relations with the neighboring countries, solved several border issues which is not typical for the Balkans, especially after joining NATO and connecting with the Western political aspirations, Montenegro has been clearly perceived as a good model for other Western Balkan countries. One cannot deny Montenegro’s position on the regional, European and global scene, i.e. the way it conducted its foreign policy over the past 20 years.”

Commenting on the consequences of the EU’s failure to give Albania and North Macedonia a date to start EU membership talks, he noted: “Failure to reach an agreement on this matter represented a failure to reward the Government of North Macedonia for its efforts in resolving issues with Greece and all the other neighboring countries. This was not a positive signal at all. Such decision might bring into question some other processes also very important.”

Montenegro and the region as well need positive signals from Brussels

When asked on his own opinion about Montenegro’s current position, Mr Đukanović said: “Right now, Montenegro has made the greatest progress in accession talks with the EU, but I’m afraid of the reaction of the new Brussels administration, and the relation of France and the Netherlands towards the region. I think that closing off the EU perspective might affect certain circumstances in Montenegro. However, once the European institutions are fully established and we get the new EC, I expect MNE and other countries of the region to get a positive signal from Brussels. Otherwise, the Balkans might face a new crisis.”

 

 

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