Bosnia – the path to sustainable peace runs through Banja Luka
The Canadian experience suggests that sustainable peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina can only be achieved by treating the Republika Srpska as a political player with legitimate fears and concerns.
Kosovo – the European Parliament's resolute message
Though most coverage focused upon its call for the remaining five EU member states to recognize Kosovo's independence, the European Parliament's resolution highlights a number of important areas of reform where further progress is urgently required.
The Greek-Macedonian name dispute – good-neighbourly relations?
Greece’s continued violation of bilateral and international agreements with respect to Macedonia calls into question its commitment, and that of the international community, to good-neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans.
Greek tragedy threatens Western Balkan stability
For the Western Balkans, the global financial crisis has exposed a plethora shortcomings in its transition to free market economics and resolution of outstanding disputes.
Kosovo – moderation in Mitrovica
The result of local elections in Northern Mitrovica suggests a shift towards more moderate voices that may help facilitate constructive dialogue between Kosovo Serbs and Pristina.
NATO consensual decision-making
In an organization that is founded on consultation, consensus, negotiation and compromise, in which any member country or group of countries can effectively block action by the organization as a whole, any attempt by any country to make others act against their will are likely to fail.
The disaster of Sarajevo?
The Sarajevo summit once again re-affirmed the impression that the EU is attempting to solve the region's problems on an ad hoc basis, without a clear commitment and without offering anything that hasn't already been on the agenda since 2000.
Local elections may herald a period of flux in Montenegro
While Djukanovic’s ruling party has claimed victory, the opposition seems likely to be galvanised by their relatively strong showing in the capital and elsewhere.
NATO not a panacea for energy security
TransConflict, in conjunction with Jagello 2000 from the Czech Republic, organized a panel discussion, entitled 'NATO's new Strategic Concept – Russia and Energy Security', to coincide with the recommendations and analysis of the Group of Experts appointed to lay the groundwork for the development of a new Strategic Concept.
National perspectives on NATO's new Strategic Concept
On the day that the group of experts charged with leading the development of NATO's new Strategic Concept presented their analysis and recommendations, TransConflict Serbia organized a conference in Belgrade, entitled 'National perspectives on NATO's new Strategic Concept'.
The economic crisis, Greece and the Balkans
The economic crisis – which has eroded the EU's solidarity and diluted its appetite for further enlargement – will serve to fuel populism and undermine the resolution of outstanding conflicts in the Balkans.
No "reduced need for NATO"
In an interview with TransConflict Serbia, the Czech Republic's Ambassador to NATO, H.E. Mr. Martin Povejšil, responded to a series of questions regarding the development of NATO's future and the development of a new Strategic Concept.
A new Strategic Concept
The growing opposition to military interventions amongst a majority of member states means that NATO's new Strategic Concept must consider how the Alliance can and will pursue a stronger political and co-ordinating role.
The way forward? Grassroots diplomacy in the southern balkans
Grassroots involvement in conflict transformation is key to overcoming the prejudice and mistrust that lies at the centre of many of the current problems facing the southern Balkans.
Kosovo – no return?
In light of recent protests, the international community and the Kosovo authorities must do more to ensure the sustainable return of Serbs and other non-Albanian minorities to Kosovo.
Bosnia is a wicked problem
The international community must recognize the key role of all relevant players, particularly Turkey and Russia, in finding solutions to Bosnia and Herzegovina's worst political crisis since the signing of Dayton.
NATO’s new Strategic Concept discussed in Serbia
On 30th March, TransConflict Serbia organized an initial public discussion about NATO's new Strategic Concept in Belgrade. Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, this initiative has been designed to promote active debate about, and involvement in, the development of a new Strategic Concept amongst specific key target groups from throughout Serbia.
The Greek-Macedonian dispute – time to return to the drawing board?
Facilitating a compromise between the respective parties to the name issue requires a better understanding of the multi-layered character of the dispute, the historically conditioned perspectives of the parties, and the main actors and their perceived interests.
Russia’s Balkan plan
Russia's re-emergence in the Balkans – thanks, in part, to financial loans, energy investments and the provision of emergency relief – could leave Serbia in the middle of a conundrum as the region itself increasingly becomes a point of contestation between the West and Russia.
Does Serbia really want Ganic?
Despite requesting the extradition of Ejup Ganic – which has already damaged relations between Bosnia and Serbia, and will negatively impact this autumn's elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina – it remains far from clear whether Serbia possesses the will to actually try Ganic in court.
A new Strategic Concept for the North Atlantic Alliance
The growing opposition to military interventions amongst a majority of member states means that NATO's new Strategic Concept must consider how the Alliance can and will pursue a stronger political and co-ordinating role.
The EU should offer more than just a box of chocolates
Speeding-up the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU will require the creation of new momentum through greater financial investment and the deployment of individuals with significant political and diplomatic clout.
No selective neutrality
Calls for a referendum in Serbia on NATO membership are motivated not by a desire for an open and transparent debate on the issue of collective security, but by narrow political interests.
Montenegro – in between Serbia and Kosovo
Montenegro must tread carefully in order to resolve its outstanding issues with Serbia and Kosovo, with the latter required to fulfill three key conditions – border demarcation, the sustainable return of displaced persons and recognition of the ethnic Montenegrin community - before full diplomatic relations will be established.
Croatia, Serbia and the crime of genocide
Serbia and Croatia should move to drop their respective claims for genocide and instead work together to solve their remaining problems, for the sake of both good neighbourly relations and the wider region.
