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In this paper, I investigate the attempts of the European Union to promote and entrench the rule of law standards in the Western Balkans countries. I examine the failures of legal reforms in key policy areas, such as the regulations of judicial independence, the legislative branch of government, vetting and suppression of corruption, that prevent progress in achieving the rule of law standards. I demonstrate how a narrow focus on the judiciary and its performance has harmed the standards. I propose a more specific focus on socio–economic reforms that, at first glance, appear less relevant to the rule of law. These are: higher education reforms, digitalization, decarbonization, and better targeting of anti-corruption measures. More focus on these areas allows a refocusing from a narrow conception of rule of law to other good governance reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian-Ukrainian war, and challenges associated with sustainable development have emphasized the need for local food to increase the food system's resilience. Therefore, this research analyzes the food self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) and revealed comparative advantage (RCA) of cereals in Western Balkan countries (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia) and compares them with the same indicators for all European countries. The methodological framework of this research examined the food self-sufficiency and macro-level competitiveness for cereals in Western Balkan countries, as well as in Europe. The results of the research showed that all European countries have higher self-sufficiency in cereals (109.12%) and higher revealed comparative advantage (2.21) compared to the group of Western Balkans countries (71.89%; 1.53), which have lower values of the mentioned indicators. The results of econometric modeling for the Western Balkan countries showed that GDP per capita negatively influences the SSR of cereals, and agriculture value added per worker and area harvested under cereals positively influence the SSR of cereals. When it comes to the influence on the RCA of cereals in the Western Balkan region, the critical influence is GDP per capita, political stability, and agriculture value added per worker, all of which positively influence the RCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood undernutrition affects both physical and cognitive growth and is strongly associated with morbidity and mortality. United Nations’ pledge to ‘leave no one behind’ requires prioritizing policies that address inequalities and reach the most marginalized communities. Yet, undernutrition among Roma children is widely higher than that among children of the majority of the population, particularly in the Western Balkans. In light of this, we explore the determinants of the gap in undernutrition among Roma and non-Roma children in four Western Balkan countries, using several rounds of Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys data. In the countries considered in this study, the prevalence of undernutrition among Roma children is nearly three times higher than that among non-Roma children. Even after controlling for key socioeconomic and demographic factors, Roma children remain particularly vulnerable to undernutrition. While the probability of stunting decreases in the non-Roma population as age progresses, it remains persistently high at all ages among Roma children. Our findings provide valuable insights for policymakers seeking to develop effective interventions to address the issue of undernutrition among marginalized communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two decades after the Thessaloniki Summit – a milestone in the European Union’s relations with the Western Balkans, when the European perspective for the countries of the region was announced, only Croatia became an EU member in 2013. The disappointment with the slow progress towards EU accession, the economic stagnation, the declining political will for reforms in the candidate countries for membership from the Western Balkans and the so-called “enlargement fatigue” create opportunities for other geopolitical players, most notably the Russian Federation and China, to intervene. Russia has long cultivated close ties with Serbia and other Slavic allies in the Balkans, a region at the crossroads of East and West. Russian influence in Serbia is based on three pillars: 1) Russia as a permanent member of the UN Security Council; 2) The Russian Federation as the main supplier of energy in the region; 3) historical, cultural and political ties between the country and countries with an Orthodox tradition. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has forced the governments of the Western Balkan countries to take a clear stand against the aggressor, while the EU tries to give a new impetus to the enlargement process and strengthens its presence in the region. However, Serbia continues to follow a complex and contradictory policy. Although the country supports the UN resolutions condemning the aggression of the Russian Federation and the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories, it refrains from applying the EU sanctions in response to the actions of the Russian Federation. The reason for this is the Russian support on the issue of Kosovo, which is of primary importance for the Balkan country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If the standards of living in the Western Balkans are to converge on those in the EU then the current productivity gap needs eliminating. A significant portion of that gap would ideally be eliminated through the expansion of employer-provided training. However, survey data indicate that since 2016 training incidence has been rising in only two of the six countries of the Western Balkans. The main contribution of this paper is to investigate this disappointing performance. A model of the determinants of the incidence of employer-provided training is developed based on theory and investigations in other countries. It is found that in the Western Balkans firms with foreign owners, those who export and those who report that their employees are eager to access training are more likely to provide training, whilst micro and small firms are less likely to provide training. Sentiments regarding the firm's and economy's current performance and their prospects are also significant determinants. The policy implications of these findings are addressed in the concluding section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of this paper is irregular migration and modern models of preventing the smuggling of migrants on the part of the Western Balkan route through the Republic of Serbia. The goal is to show how the new strategic approach of the Serbian police in this area can give excellent results, that the application of modern methods of policing and technical means are aimed at preventing the smuggling of migrants, i.e., the illegal movement and transport of migrants across the state border and state territory to go to countries of the European Union. Based on the conducted research, the authors have drawn certain conclusions: 1) effectiveness, efficiency, and economy in the area of suppression of irregular migration can be achieved by applying an adequate criminal strategy, 2) the new strategic approach led to the discovery and arrest of a large number of people smugglers and the discovery of illegal firearms, 3) the use of modern technical means, coordinated, joint work of different police units and management from a single center by a strategic level manager directly in charge of combating irregular migration and human smuggling in a particular area (territory) which is estimated to be a hotspot of criminal activity, is a prerequisite for success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chartography of physical and imaginary borders between different national communities has historically been a challenging political process, especially in the case of the Balkan Peninsula. As regards ethno-nationalism in the Western Balkans, religion is one of the rudimental and constitutive elements of a nation's identity. Yet, in theory this can only be true for a religiously homogenous nation-state, although this region is far from being home to religious homogeneity. A case in point is Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), where the lack of religious homogeneity can be illustrated through the three different religions that dominate the two political entities in the country. Albania, another country of Western Balkans, is similar to the case of BiH in relation to religious diversity among its population, but different from it in relation to religion not being an identity element upon which its nation is founded. In view of this diversity of mixed religious heritage embedded in the state formation, this article focuses on the nature of the ethno-religious nationalism in BiH and Albania. By employing a comparative case study approach, this article sets the analytical framework for the study of ethno-religious nationalism, while addressing the state approaches, policy orientations and challenges that characterize the governance of religious diversity in these countries in the post-communist era. The concept of religious nationalism - which is operationalized in ethnic terms – is used to shed light on the two states' nation-building efforts, which have incorporated a marked religious element. The paper concludes with a cross-country analysis on how the volatility of ethno-religious coexistence in BiH and Albania has shaped their present and shall impact their future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article critically examines the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on European Union (EU) policies pertaining to the Western Balkan states, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. While the EU has long embraced a normative approach towards the Western Balkan region, the article argues that the Union is undergoing a profound shift towards a more geostrategic and geopolitical policy orientation. By employing an extensive analysis of the existing literature and first-hand data, this article makes a valuable contribution to the academic debates surrounding the EU's enlargement policy (EEP), particularly focusing on its inherent limitations as a normative power. The findings reveal significant inconsistencies within the EU's treatment of individual Western Balkan countries, with notable concessions being disproportionately granted to Serbia at the expense of the Union's credibility. It exacerbates the pressure faced by the Western Balkan region, consequently providing fertile ground for Russia to exploit and amplify its illiberal influence in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explains the meaning of the Western Balkans concept in the European Union (EU) political discourse through the prism of the constructivist approach of International Relations (IR). This term was conceived and institutionalized to designate more precisely the countries included in the Stabilization and Association Process (SAP). This article shows that the Western Balkans concept, as a political and social construct, is used strategically by the EU and leads to exclusion rather than inclusion. The countries that are or that become EU member states are no longer qualified as Balkan but as European, while those left outside the gates are categorized as Western Balkans, which are often associated with the pejorative concept of balkanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ixodid ticks are distributed across all countries of the Western Balkans, with a high diversity of species. Many of these species serve as vectors of pathogens of veterinary and medical importance. Given the scattered data from Western Balkan countries, we have conducted a comprehensive review of available literature, including some historical data, with the aim to compile information about all recorded tick species and associated zoonotic pathogens in this region. Based on the collected data, the tick fauna of the Western Balkans encompasses 32 tick species belonging to five genera: Ixodes, Haemaphysalis, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma. A range of pathogens responsible for human diseases has also been documented, including viruses, bacteria and parasites. In this review, we emphasize the necessity for integrated surveillance and reporting, urging authorities to foster research by providing financial support. Additionally, international and interdisciplinary collaborations should be encouraged that include the exchange of expertise, experiences and resources. The present collaborative effort can effectively address gaps in our knowledge of ticks and tick-borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North Macedonia has been at the doorstep of the European Union since the initial 2003 Western Balkans summit in Thessaloniki, Greece. Although this milestone has reached the 20-year mark, the road to full membership into the European Union seems all the more difficult and challenging for the small mountainous Western Balkans state. For North Macedonia, the obstacles which provide context to the seemingly endless road to EU integration and possible membership, range from domestic shortcomings to historical, cultural and political predicaments with neighbors. In this paper, we will aim to analyze the case of North Macedonia, including the internal and external obstacles in its path to EU integration and propose possible resolutions and outcomes for the case and the seemingly never-ending journey towards membership status in the European Union. In this context, we will utilize EU commission reports and their key findings with regards to North Macedonia as well as recent social, political and economic developments in the country. In order to depict the case thoroughly, the first part of the paper will cover the historical development and background in relation to the EU integration, the second and third parts will cover the most recent developments and main obstacles in North Macedonia's path in both an internal and external context, and in the conclusion, we will provide a summary of the immediate concerns of North Macedonia in its path to EU integration and the possible trajectories for resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The following research paper conducts a comprehensive analysis into the intricate dynamics governing the relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and International Trade, with a specific focus on the Western Balkan Countries-6 (WB-6). This research spans the period from 2000 to 2020 and seeks to shed light on the interplay between FDI and International Trade within this region. To analyse and interpret these dynamics, various regression models, including Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Fixed Effects, Random Effects, and the Hausman-Taylor model, are employed as analytical tools. Moreover, the research takes into consideration the influence of specific institutional factors within each country, which play a pivotal role in shaping foreign investors' decisions to invest in a particular country. The study's results reveal that gravity factors, in conjunction with institutional determinants such as economic integration, control of corruption, political stability, and other indicators of governance quality, significantly impact the attractiveness of the WB-6 countries to foreign investors. The findings of this paper hold substantial relevance for the development of an analytical framework aimed at evaluating national policies and institutions geared towards enhancing the appeal of Western Balkan countries to foreign investors. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of these host countries prioritizing efforts to bolster the effectiveness of governmental institutions, combat corruption, streamline bureaucratic processes, and improve overall economic conditions to attract and retain foreign investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to examine the causality link between Greenfield Investments, Regulatory Quality, and Economic Growth by using seven Western Balkan countries between 2003 and 2022. Johansen cointegration tests, the VECM model, and multiple empirical unit root tests are the foundation of the empirical analysis. The study's findings indicate that, in the short run, GFI-led growth in Albania and North Macedonia is supported. In the long run, the analysis backs the growth driven by GFI in Serbia and Montenegro and the growth driven by regulatory quality in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bulgaria. The findings support the growth driven by regulatory quality in most Western Balkan countries, reassuring national policymakers that encouraging improvements in regulatory quality and GFI inflows is warranted and will ultimately spur economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decentralized EU agencies have played an important role in the Union's institutional landscape over the last three decades. Various engagement logics and types of cooperation have previously been investigated for the European Economic Area and EU Eastern Partnership countries, but not for the five countries that received EU candidate status by 2021—Turkey and four Western Balkans countries—Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, and Northern Macedonia. Covering the period between 1999 and 2021 analysis found that 23 out of 34 agencies observed had some type of engagement with these candidates, while serving both EU's broader foreign policy interests and advancing the sector-specific alignment of candidates. This also suggests that it is possible to frame these engagements as a form of external EU differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the temporalities of EU investments into Southeast European (SEE) roads. Road construction and maintenance and related institutional frameworks, regulation, and project planning signify different modes of infrastructural time. Roads carry narratives of development and progress, but they also confront visions of desired futures with ruins of forgotten pasts. Promises of infrastructural potential intersect with project cycles, financial flows, and construction timelines, and work delays and material malfunctions. As such, infrastructures are a productive entry point to understanding how Europeanisation works through different temporalizing practices and techniques. The paper maps complex temporalities and temporal politics that shape infrastructural development and showcases how Europeanisation works also outside of promises of linear progress to EU membership on the one hand and corresponding classifications of absent futures on the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Western Balkan region has long struggled under extensive pressure and influence from Russia and the West. World developments have occasionally echoed tensions among nations in the region, including a prolonged EU and NATO membership process, which has increased the possibility of Russia's influence, especially after the aggression in Ukraine. This article analyses the increase in Russia - Ukraine tensions and its direct correlation with the increase of tensions in the Western Balkans through hybrid war methods understood through Zhyhlei and Syvak's definition: "a fragmentary and situational combination of different methods and theories of war, their integration into different spheres, especially political, religious, ideological, ethical, economic and informational."5 The higher Russia's aggression in Ukraine, the higher the pressure on Serbia to fuel tensions in the Western Balkans. This pressure comes through direct threats, media propaganda, and influence on parallel structures and financial support for CSOs, through which Russia increases its influence in the Balkans through Serbia as its closest ally. This influence strategy is particularly important for Russia to undermine the power and influence of the West and NATO in former Yugoslav states, especially those with open conflicts which serve as a global distraction from a possible power decline in Ukraine. Methods: Through discourse and thematic analysis, this article analyses local, regional, and international media, data, and publications of international organisations, press releases of international and regional institutions, conclusions of distinguished scientists and heads of state over the current situation in the Western Balkans, and interviews with representatives of CSOs and institutions in Kosovo. The influence of Russian aggression in Ukraine, with Russia's pressure to increase tensions in the Western Balkans, has been analysed in the framework of Western unipolar influence and Russia's attempts to return to multipolarity. Results and Conclusion: Among others, it is concluded that Russian influence is present in the Western Balkans and seeks to destabilise the region by activating passive conflicts from the past or opening new conflicts to defer international attention from the power decline in Ukraine, which did not produce the results that Russia had expected. This is possible through Serbia, Russia's closest ally. The solution to prevent Russian influence and any future conflicts among Balkan states is to accelerate NATO and EU's integration of Western Balkan countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the impact and dynamics of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the transition economies of the Western Balkans (WB) countries - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. In this paper, it can be seen a review of the political, institutional, economic and historical circumstances that have influenced the delay in the transition of the economies of the Western Balkan countries and the impact it had on foreign direct investments. Regardless of the time distance, changes in political and economic circumstances and the perspective of EU integration, the countries of the Western Balkans do not attract enough foreign direct investments compared to other countries in transition. The article also explores the performance of foreign direct investments (2010-2021) and the main differences that the countries of the Western Balkans have in the volume, time, sectorial distribution and origin of foreign direct investments. To achieve this goal of comparative analysis and identification, the integrative review method was used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rapidly changing global economic environment, economic restructuring, innovation, and globalization have led to marked changes in labor markets, creating significant skill gaps and mismatches. The recent economic upheaval, deepened by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine standoff, has accentuated the need for a new paradigm of growth, one relying more heavily on domestic resources. The Western Balkan region, blessed with abundant natural resources and a prolific agricultural sector, still counts human capital as its most valuable asset. In this context, the evolution of education and the improvement of workforce skills become key components for enhancing economic recovery and growth in the Western Balkan economies. This research paper offers a comprehensive econometric investigation of the dynamics between education, skills, and employment within Western Balkan countries. Utilizing an extensive dataset of 2905 observations from the Balkan Barometer, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) database, the study delves into the complex roles of compulsory, tertiary, and adult education systems in enhancing employability across six Western Balkan nations - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. The research employs a robust ordinary least squares (OLS) model to examine the effect of varying education levels and skills on employment while factoring in additional socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, and geographical location. The study challenges the conventional wisdom that suggests educational attainment alone is sufficient in the current job market. It provides quantitative evidence of the significant influence of both education and skills in obtaining employment. The analysis reveals a positive correlation between education, skills, and the employment index, affirming their crucial roles in job acquisition. Furthermore, the study considers auxiliary variables like age, gender, and residence, unearthing their potential interrelations with education and employment. The findings suggest that increased employment prospects are associated with older age groups, higher education levels, and urban residency. However, a notable gender discrepancy in the job market is observed, with women showing lower employment levels. The research also uncovers country-specific employment-level disparities, with Macedonia displaying the lowest and Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Kosovo exhibiting the highest employment coefficients. This study underscores the need to incorporate practical training and internships into the education system to boost the employability of young individuals. It further emphasizes the necessity for adequate material, human, and financial resources to facilitate this transition. This study underscores the need to align education and skills development for future employment strategies by providing invaluable insights for policy-making in the Western Balkans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The subject of the study is the relationship between entities in the Western Balkans and the United Arab Emirates as a process of adaptation to a new international environment and, consequently, the adoption of new roles and positions. The research question adopted is: What are the new role and the Western Balkans position from the perspective of the dynamics of relations between the countries of this region and the United Arab Emirates? To find an answer to the research question, appropriate scientific measures and methods were adopted, based on the theory of adaptation and international roles, using quantitative and qualitative methods. The answer to the posed research question is the statement that the Western Balkans, from their relations with the United Arab Emirates perspective, achieve a stronger role and position as a connector of strategic North-South transport and energy routes. However, the condition for the long-term increase in the importance of the Western Balkans is anchoring in the membership of the European Union and the Three Seas Initiative (3SI). The answers and the results obtained are significant because the problem under consideration concerns the processes of shaping a new international order. In addition, the presented research paper is innovative and based on original data. Thus, the results of the completed research described in this article set future directions of research focusing on the interdependence of processes taking place in the Western Balkans-Middle East-Caucasus triangle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Yearbook of the Faculty of Political Sciences / Godisnjak Fakultet Politickih Nauka Beograd is the property of University of Belgrade, Faculty of Political Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista UNISCI is the property of Unidad de Investigaciones Sobre Seguridad y Cooperacion International (UNISCI) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

For Russia, the Western Balkan region holds significant historical, cultural, and religious ties, and while from a historical point of view the Western Balkans represents an area where Russia tries to be a long-time actor, the relationship between Moscow and Western Balkan states also depends on international factors such as EU integration. Additionally, this relationship is further impacted by current international crises. The objective of this article is to confirm the rise of Russian influence in the Western Balkan countries, and to determine how and to what extent it has impacted the region. For this purpose, a qualitative analysis is conducted with secondary data from many sources, including reports and policy events; the analysis also includes a rhetorical review of public appearances by the political leadership of the Western Balkan countries. First, we consider Russia's pro-active approach manifested through its economic involvement in the region, and second the reactive approach of the Western Balkan countries due to their disillusionment with the EU, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Further, we argue that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a strong catalyst, as it directly affects the relationship of the Western Balkan countries with Russia, the EU, and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of corruption on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Western Balkans countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Albania. Secondary data from The World Bank, Transparency International, and International Monetary Fund databases were utilized to complete this study for 2012-2020. The built model of multiple linear regression included four independent variables, namely: Corruption Perception Index (CPI), Western Balkan Corruption Ranking (WBCR), Exchange Rate (EXG), and Inflation Rate (INFL), as well as FDI as a dependent variable, and data effects were analyzed through the SPPS scientific research software program. The results found that if CPI and WBCR were to increase by one unit, FDI would decrease by 0.088, namely 0.624, while if EXG and INFL were to increase by one unit, FDI would increase by 0.165, namely 0.236. In order to fight corruption and potentially attract more foreign direct investment, the governments of these countries should work to harmonize their anti-corruption laws with those of the European Union. In order to prevent the negative consequences of FDI inflows, they should also maintain a balanced rate of inflation, which entails stabilizing exchange rate fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At its 30th anniversary, the Maastricht Treaty remains a milestone in the history and practice of the European Union. This referring to the adhesion process, since the set of conditions that a country must accomplish have been settled and derived by the treaty, but also for the fact that now, after 20 years of entering in force, the Euro, the Union currency, has performed and faced different consecutive challenges, thus becoming observable concerning it effects and role, and as a consequence, its theoretical and practical validity. But there is yet a vast area, in the center of Europe, that is still dragging on its calvary of adhesion, that of the Western Balkans. At this point, considering the processes that the countries of this area have been going through, by pursuing the adhesion path, the analysis of the dominating factors that have determined the trajectory of their EU membership, becomes essential. The paper questions and analyses the validity of the Maastricht Treaty and subsequent criteria for the adhesion of the Western Balkan countries, as well as highlights on the 'adhoc' criteria and evaluations often applied during the process and their consequences in terms of the attitudes of the Balkan populations and their determination toward the EU and the Western Balkans adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims at investigating the impact of economic and demographic factors on premium reserve and thus the possibility for life insurers to invest in the financial market of Western Balkan countries. Using the data panel including economic and demographic trends in the countries of this region in the period from year 2006 to 2016, it is determined that price stability and higher deposit rates may cause faster development of insurance market. Contrary to previous findings, which indicate wages and population ageing as key driving factors in developed countries, in this region these are the youth dependency and care for their schooling. This indicates that a higher significance is given to the component of insurance of death risk than the savings one. However, during crisis period, more than post‐crisis period, higher demand for this type of savings was determined due to the decline in confidence in banking sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Western Balkans are entering into the seventh active year of mass-migration crisis with mixed results on the ability to direct, manage, house, register, assist and repatriate certain migrants or groups of migrants. This study collated available information from various process stakeholders and analysed strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT) in the approaches to migrant crisis in North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo*, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The main goal of the study was to investigate if the opportunities were seized / missed in improving cooperation, communication, interoperability among the stakeholders to make the flow of migration more humane, manageable, transparent (accountable) and effective in the field. Given security considerations and challenges of the migration flow as well as its subsidiary elements involving human smuggling / human trafficking and movement of problematic personnel, the analysis highlights some of the novel operative and technical solutions that can be fielded to improve identification, registration and additional screening or removal as required. Particularly important elements are the advances in digital data capture, biometrics, correlation, language recognition and information sharing among the varying levels of stakeholders. The analysis also identified significant opportunities in improving communication and data sharing among the principal countries of the migration route (North Macedonia - Serbia - Bosnia and Herzegovina), which could be beneficial in enhancing other security-related issues among the Western Balkan countries. The main challenge encountered is the lack of communications and reporting protocols as well as lack of documentation standards suitable for data entry, storage, indexing and searching. The analysis concludes that implementation of standardized, technical solutions may resolve some of the identified communications, mistrust or data sharing issues described in the SWOT analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term internationalization has been mainly used to show the expansion of economic activities of firms outside of their home country where they aim at capturing a bigger market. The Central and Eastern Europe region has gone through a process of market transition over the past few decades, yet the business internationalization process has played an important role in the states' economies. The aim of this paper is to analyze the firm internationalization process in the new member states and the Western Balkans countries and gain a better understanding of the process and its course over time. Due to different geopolitical circumstances, the Western Balkan countries did not attract as many investors as much as the EU member states in CEE did that have had a constant flow of investments once they were members of the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EU enlargement has always been a political process. That said, the rule of law is an important aspect and principle of the EU enlargement policy. Implementation of EU driven reforms in candidate countries largely depends on the rule of law-based enlargement as well as on a clear EU perspective. Overpoliticisation of the enlargement process renders the EU's enlargement law futile and undermines both the transformative effect of the pre-accession process and EU's own values. The implementation of the enlargement condition for settlement of bilateral disputes, which became pronounced in the EU enlargement towards the Western Balkan countries, is having the negative effect of contributing to deterioration rather than promotion of the rule of law in both EU candidate countries and the EU's enlargement process. Lack of predictability and rule of law accordingly, makes the effective application of the principle of conditionality impossible. A genuine reconsideration of the condition for settlement of bilateral disputes within the EU enlargement framework, clear EU perspective and viable way forward are urgently needed for bringing rule of law and the EU's credibility on track. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to use the economic mechanisms to analyse the influence of the European Union (EU) and Russia in the Western Balkan countries (WBC). A comprehensive analysis is carried out in the sense of economic indicators examination (trade, foreign direct investments, energy market analysis). Results indicate that the dominant EU influence in the WBC, induced by the strong economic impact, has been weakened due to the EU's procrastination surrounding the enlargement strategy, thus leaving plenty of room for rapid consolidation of pro-Russian tendencies and aggravation of the geopolitical component. Data were calculated on the basis of relevant statistical databases and surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Medunarodni Problemi is the property of Institute of International Politics & Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The war in Ukraine is fiercely fought for over 6 month and there are no signs that it will lose tempo in the near future. At the beginning of the invasion it seemed that Moscow will succeed in imposing its military and political agenda in a short period and in an easy manner. After half a year, through the determination of the Ukrainian people and with the strong support of the democratic countries the faith of the conflict in the eastern side of the European continent is on the verge of change. The same trends can be noticed in the dynamic of the “geopolitical resonance box” that is the Balkans. At the beginning of the invasion, Russia seemed to have a lot of support from the Balkan area, mainly in the countries that have developed through the history political, economic and cultural ties with Moscow. But this situation is changing with small steps: it started from the political condemnation of the aggression made by United Nations Organization where all 5 Western Balkan countries (that are members of the above mentioned international infrastructure) supported the stance, and months later it continues with military materials delivered by the NATO members from Balkans to Ukrainian forces that are fighting the invaders. From this point of view, the war in Ukraine has a big impact in the Balkans: it determines/pressures all countries from the area to clarify theirs geopolitical options – in favor of Russia or on the side of Western democracies. But there are signs that this process is not simple and it is not going to be short. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper analyses social protection expenditure, its financing and its correlation with redistribution effects in the European Union (EU) candidate and potential candidate countries from the Western Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Serbia. Although social expenditure in the Western Balkans varies between countries in terms of the extent and functions, in general, it is growing and concentrates on the elderly population. The expenditure is strongly redistributive towards old age, but is less efficient in reducing extensive child and working-age poverty. From an intergenerational perspective, despite various recent improvements, it remains significantly unbalanced compared to the EU. The expenditure reflects the design of social rights that have been shaped by the legacy of socialism and war, local politics, and international organisations perhaps more than by the impact of economic resources and aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Montenegro and Serbia are on track to join the EU, followed by other Western Balkan countries. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate these countries' economic integration maturity. The analysis covers the period between 2006 and 2019. The main questions concern the evolution of Western Balkan countries during the last 15 years, the results that have already been achieved, and the weakest points of their potential accession. The paper suggests that, although these countries are about to fulfil the economic criteria, they are not fully prepared to join the EU from an economic perspective as they face significant challenges in terms of integration maturity. To endorse this suggestion, the paper forms a new composite indicator to provide a comprehensive understanding of the recent development of these countries' functioning market economy, competitiveness, macroeconomic stability, convergence, and financing ability. Results can contribute to the integration theory and enlargement decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explain some current considerations and approaches about the credit activity in Albania compared to the other countries in the Western Balkan's region in terms of bank-specific indicators. During 2020 and in the first half of 2021, the evolution of bank credit in the Western Balkan countries continued to be positive, influenced by monetary easing, support for credit risk reduction and other support policies offered by central banks. The balance sheet of banks in the region has improved over the period, and the non-performing loan rate has declined compared to a year ago in most countries. Among the various lending measures, the study of credit activity will be focused on bank credit (loans and advances) to the private sector, one of the most important indicators of bank development. Using a qualitative and quantitative analysis, the main objective of this paper is to generate and explain through a descriptive and graphical analysis, the evolution of the bank credit to the private sector for the six countries of the Western Balkans, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Countries in the region have benefited from a substantial inflow of foreign funds and cross-border loans before the crisis. When the financial crisis broke out, credit growth declined dramatically and did not begin to recover, in part due to the banking sector's reversal in external financing. The COVID-19 pandemic also brought a sudden negative revision of expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: As the countries of the Western Balkans (WB) have committed to sustainable development, the process of regulatory and economic adjustment is underway. As part of the aforementioned fact, the WB countries have commenced exploitation of energy from renewable sources, among which hydropower is the most important. The main objective of the study is to analyse the status of renewable energy transition in the WB region, focusing on the construction and exploitation of small hydropower plants (SHPPs), as well as a proposal for an original model for decision making in this field, based on a multidimensional decision-making space. Namely, in most cases, there is resistance to the construction of SHPPs in the WB territory, as well as divided opinion among investors, companies, environmental movements, academia, and citizens on this issue. This shows that the entire decision-making process has to be reviewed and re-designed. Results: The results of the study show that the construction of SHPPs caused damage to environmentally protected areas, living conditions of local communities, touristic and agricultural potential. All of the foregoing matters have led to mass protests by citizens and a high degree of mistrust so that the future of SHPPs in the WB is extremely uncertain. The assessment of the acceptability of existing SHPPs through the proposed model showed that 74% of SHPPs cannot be considered acceptable from the aspect of the location where they were built, and from the aspect of the impact on the quality of life of the local population. Accordingly, this paper provides suggestions for much-needed improvements. Conclusions: The construction of SHPPs is causing numerous controversies, opposition, and resistance. To find the right solution, and contribute to sustainable energy and economic development, it is necessary to develop a fully transparent and objective policy system in this field, and to use contemporary models for decision making with emphasis on the involvement local communities in the decision-making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]