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.
Dayton Bosnia may be over – but what next?
Rather than advocating one solution to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s ongoing crisis, the EU should offer a range, or menu, of reform options – all leading to EU membership.
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.
Kosovo – okay, really, what next?
With 2009 having ended much as it began, the international community must continue to pursue a peacekeeping approach to the north in order to keep alive the possibility of a negotiated outcome.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – time for constitutional reform
The European Court of Human Rights’ ruling on the discriminatory nature of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitution should provide fresh impetuses to stalled reform talks.
Three good ways to end 2009 in the Western Balkans
Three key decisions at the end of 2009 – visa liberalization, Serbia’s application for EU membership and the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitution - provide significant momentum for the Western Balkans in 2010.
NATO and Serbia – black and white world
Should we want to talk about these unpleasant and painful topics, let’s be professional and responsible enough to present all the facts.
Reflexions on working in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nine years of working in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the Soul of Europe has taught a number of important lessons about the need for a coherent and integrated framework for peace-building, including greater attentiveness towards religious and business issues.
Macedonia – is the name issue close to an end?
A Greek veto at the upcoming EU council meeting threatens to further fuel growing animosity in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Kosovo – partitioning what from what?
Though partition is far from the best way to resolve the Kosovo question, it is a political option for Kosovo as part of a final status resolution and has been used by one side already.
Montenegro – on its way towards the EU and NATO
Whilst Montenegro continues to make visible progress towards achieving its key foreign policy priorities, further steps are required to ensure that its internal reform processes maintain a similar pace
Republika Srpska – after independence
Bosnia's war ended with a partition plan, which the international community subsequently used all its efforts to undermine and create a unified state. Now the west's power in the country has receded, the natural logic of the Dayton Peace Accords has reemerged, and the country is likely to break apart. This article suggests that now the international community's best response to the imminent Bosnian fracture may be to reluctantly accept it.
Kosovo – what is to be done?
With the International Court of Justice’s verdict on the legality of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence likely to be tilted in Serbia’s favour, possible elements... Read More
Barking up the wrong tree in Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina has made progress along its road map, but the international community is focusing on the wrong issues.
From Russia with loans
The agreements signed during president Medvedev’s visit to Belgrade not only reinforce Russia’s economic influence over Serbia, but also demonstrate that relations between the two... Read More
Prioritising rights over regions
Instead of renewing calls for the establishment of a “Presevo Valley region”, ethnic Albanian politicians should focus on establishing an Albanian National Council in order... Read More
Serbia requires patience over Europe
Despite Ireland’s affirmation of the Lisbon Treaty, Serbia should refrain from applying for candidacy until the interim trade agreement is unblocked.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – ethnic disarmament
With Bosnia’s leaders unimpressed by the EU’s remote carrots, a New Deal is required; one that offers fast-track EU membership in return for a new... Read More
Kosovo and the Ahtisaari Plan
In the absence of a status agreement, the Quint must look at the Ahtisaari Plan once more by re-engaging Russia and focusing on trying to... Read More
Balkan competitiveness
Whilst two recently published reports on reform and competitiveness demonstrate progress by several Western Balkan countries, further structural reforms are required to mitigate the impact... Read More
Beijing – the fourth pillar of Serbian foreign policy
A recently signed strategic partnership agreement between Serbia and China means that Beijing is now firmly established as the fourth pillar of Serbian foreign policy.
Peacekeeping in Kosovo
Peacekeeping in Kosovo requires continuous efforts to help local Albanians and Serbs co-exist next to each other while working to find ways for them to... Read More
Clashes in Kosovo
A series of clashes in Kosovo have further exposed EULEX’s perceived and actual shortcomings with respect to its proclaimed status neutrality.
Operation "Joint Endeavour"
The controversy generated by Operation "Joint Endeavour" in the Republika Srpska demonstrates the need for NATO to better articulate the purpose, objectives and benefits of such initiatives.
Protocol for co-operation
The expected signing of a co-operation protocol between
