"Putin's next playground or EU's last moral stand?"
EU's policy toward the Balkans is more driven by ideology than in any other part of the world.
Source: Tanjug
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In an opinion piece penned for the New York Times, Krastev adds that "Europe's ideological rigidity is admirable, but it is also partly responsible for the region's paralysis."
Europeans saw the nearby tragedy not as a clash between states or nations but between two principles: the principle of ethnic nationalism, represented by Slobodan Milosevic, and the principle of multiethnic democracy, embodied by the European Union, he writes.
"In the Balkans the transition is over," Remzi Lani, an Albanian political analyst, told me some time ago, Krastev recalls, adding this "didn't mean a transformation from dictatorship to democracy - 'We transitioned from repressive to depressive regimes'. He was right."
"The old Communists and radical ethnic nationalists are largely gone; in their places is stagnation — economic, social and political. The question now is how these depressive regimes fit into a growing geopolitical rivalry," writes Krastev.
"A day before his recent visit to Belgrade, Serbia, President Vladimir Putin of Russia expressed his great displeasure with Macedonia’s name change and accused 'the United States and certain Western countrie'” of '“destabilizing' the region; the Russian foreign minister, meanwhile, denounced 'the willingness of the United States to lead all Balkan states into NATO as soon as possible and to remove any Russian influence in this region.' Russia wants to make clear that this is not what the people in the region want," he continued, and added:
"Watching Mr. Putin’s visit to Belgrade and listening to his rhetoric, one couldn’t help but conclude that the confrontation in the Balkans between the West and Russia is changing both in nature and intensity. In the last decade, Russia was actively defending its economic and cultural presence in the region, but it never openly challenged NATO or European Union hegemony. Not anymore."
At first glance, the Bulgarian expert observed, Russia’s ambitions seem unrealistic: "The Balkans remain firmly entrenched in the West: Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Albania and Montenegro are all NATO members and Macedonia is on its way - and every country in the region is either a member of the European Union or aspires to join it."
He also recalls that the EU is "far and away the region’s top trading partner, its biggest investor and the preferred destination for emigration. The conventional wisdom is that Russia might be a troublemaker but could hardly be more."
"The conventional wisdom could be wrong. Moscow has sensed a critical vulnerability in the West’s position in the Balkans: While in places like Ukraine the European Union has been perceived as a symbol of change, in the Balkans it’s seen as the defender of a status quo that may be ready for disruption," writes Krastev.
"Publics are frustrated and angry. Ethnic tensions are on the rise. Almost every country in the region has seen large-scale antigovernment demonstrations. Economic growth is sluggish in most places, misery is widespread and the depopulation of the region is dramatic: More than 40 percent of people born in Bosnia and Herzegovina have left the country; about 40 percent of those born in Albania and about 25 percent of those born in Macedonia have done the same."
He also cites polls that show a majority of people still sees joining the European Union as the best road to prosperity, the promise of European integration is losing its talismanic power.
"Not only does the European Union’s future look uncertain, but leaders like President Emmanuel Macron of France have made it clear that they will not spend political capital advocating for the integration of the Western Balkans. And yet, even as sentiment in the region has changed, the European Union is reluctant to change its approach to it. This is in part the result of bureaucratic inertia and a lack of political interest," Krastev states.
He also believes EU's rigidity in the Balkans stems from its fear of betraying its principles, as the wars in the 1990s in the former Yugoslavia "played a critical role in shaping the European Union’s post-Cold War political identity."
These countries are not wealthy because the people are not hard working and innovative. I could cite many examples but one common saying in Serbia will suffice: "When my neighbors cow dies, I don't have any benefits but he has a loss."
(JS, 31 January 2019 08:16)
True but people in your US work hard (every American I have met talks about working hard - it’s like some badge of honour to say they work hard) but the vast majority only receive between $7.50 and $12.50 an hour. When you come to think of it the hard-working Americans are no better off than people in Serbia. In fact, it is even worse since about 70% of all working Americans live from pay cheque to pay cheque.
During the first government shut down they were showing government workers going to charity organisations after a month for food to feed their families.
So much for innovation, but since you’re in Serbia tilling land on 3 farms and trimming the orchards you can show them the errors of their ways despite failing in the US.
(sj, 31 January 2019 12:03)
The Balkans needs to set it's own policies and destiny instead of being manipulated by the EU and the US. Take the lead of Turkey which set it's own economic policy and the EU is the last thing on people's mind due to economic prosperity. If the Balkans don't unite and set their own agenda, they are doomed for failure as fragmented states. Romania and Bulgaria has not seen the economic prosperity promised to them by the EU, Slovenia and Croatia are much the same. Greece is mired in debt and fiscal constraints that without relief is choking the nation.
(Jugoslavija, 30 January 2019 16:04)
These countries are not wealthy because the people are not hard working and innovative. I could cite many examples but one common saying in Serbia will suffice: "When my neighbors cow dies, I don't have any benefits but he has a loss."
(JS, 31 January 2019 08:16)
Sj,
I see you’re still up to your usual Tokyo Rose tactics, but to no avail. You must have been caught down wind from the blast Putin received, since you had your face too close to Putin’s rear.
(Django, 30 January 2019 15:11)
he Balkans needs to set it's own policies and destiny instead of being manipulated by the EU and the US. Take the lead of Turkey which set it's own economic policy and the EU is the last thing on people's mind due to economic prosperity. If the Balkans don't unite and set their own agenda, they are doomed for failure as fragmented states. Romania and Bulgaria has not seen the economic prosperity promised to them by the EU, Slovenia and Croatia are much the same. Greece is mired in debt and fiscal constraints that without relief is choking the nation.
(Jugoslavija, 30 January 2019 16:04)
Jugo, I'll plead ignorance right out of the gate!!! I'm not very familiar with the goings-on in Bulgaria and Romania (other than what Adrian from Bucharest posts here, and I still don't understand it), but I guess I"m a bit confused by this economic prosperity that's supposedly thriving in Croatia?!? Can you please give me some facts to support this statement and if possible explain your thoughts to me - and, I'm sure Lenard and Dwight are curious as well.
(Chi, 30 January 2019 20:45)
The Balkans needs to set it's own policies and destiny instead of being manipulated by the EU and the US. Take the lead of Turkey which set it's own economic policy and the EU is the last thing on people's mind due to economic prosperity. If the Balkans don't unite and set their own agenda, they are doomed for failure as fragmented states. Romania and Bulgaria has not seen the economic prosperity promised to them by the EU, Slovenia and Croatia are much the same. Greece is mired in debt and fiscal constraints that without relief is choking the nation.
(Jugoslavija, 30 January 2019 16:04)
Putin unrealistically expected to be treated as an equal by the US, unfortunately, all he got was a blast of flatulance in the face.
Sj,
I see you’re still up to your usual Tokyo Rose tactics, but to no avail. You must have been caught down wind from the blast Putin received, since you had your face too close to Putin’s rear.
(Django, 30 January 2019 15:11)
Ethnic nationalism was heavily endorsed by the western powers in every single one of the ex-YU countries, except Serbia, where it was condemned. The multi ethnic state were Balkans-tribalism was at least less prevelant was Yugoslavia, what they have deliberately destroyed, twice.
(svabo, 30 January 2019 14:37)
These stats are hardly surprising when you consider the social and economic situation in countries such as Albania and BiH.
Endemic corruption, backward social attitudes such as the casual acceptance of domestic violence and blood feuds. Chronic economic stagnation, unemployment and lack of investments. You also have the residual tension brought about by years of conflict and nationalist hatred. And a political class beholden to local power structures, devoid of any real vision for the future. It's little wonder then that ordinary people want to get the hell out.
(PEN, 30 January 2019 13:32)
Europeans saw the nearby tragedy as...clashes between ethnic nationalism, represented by Slobodan Milosevic, and the principle of multiethnic democracy, embodied by the European Union.
That is why the west is stuffed. As if it was only Milosevic representing ethnic nationalism. since they are so moved on this principle of multiethnic democracy why did they allow the ethnic cleansing of Serbs from Croatia? or perhaps Kosovo? In fact it was the US that gave the Croats the green light to remove the Serbs.
The west is run by stupid people who are appointed by the corporations and stupid people are more easily controlled. That's why we have Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, libya and now Venezuela.
(sj, 30 January 2019 12:15)
Europeans saw the nearby tragedy as...clashes between ethnic nationalism, represented by Slobodan Milosevic, and the principle of multiethnic democracy, embodied by the European Union.
That is why the west is stuffed. As if it was only Milosevic representing ethnic nationalism. since they are so moved on this principle of multiethnic democracy why did they allow the ethnic cleansing of Serbs from Croatia? or perhaps Kosovo? In fact it was the US that gave the Croats the green light to remove the Serbs.
The west is run by stupid people who are appointed by the corporations and stupid people are more easily controlled. That's why we have Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, libya and now Venezuela.
(sj, 30 January 2019 12:15)
These stats are hardly surprising when you consider the social and economic situation in countries such as Albania and BiH.
Endemic corruption, backward social attitudes such as the casual acceptance of domestic violence and blood feuds. Chronic economic stagnation, unemployment and lack of investments. You also have the residual tension brought about by years of conflict and nationalist hatred. And a political class beholden to local power structures, devoid of any real vision for the future. It's little wonder then that ordinary people want to get the hell out.
(PEN, 30 January 2019 13:32)
Ethnic nationalism was heavily endorsed by the western powers in every single one of the ex-YU countries, except Serbia, where it was condemned. The multi ethnic state were Balkans-tribalism was at least less prevelant was Yugoslavia, what they have deliberately destroyed, twice.
(svabo, 30 January 2019 14:37)
The Balkans needs to set it's own policies and destiny instead of being manipulated by the EU and the US. Take the lead of Turkey which set it's own economic policy and the EU is the last thing on people's mind due to economic prosperity. If the Balkans don't unite and set their own agenda, they are doomed for failure as fragmented states. Romania and Bulgaria has not seen the economic prosperity promised to them by the EU, Slovenia and Croatia are much the same. Greece is mired in debt and fiscal constraints that without relief is choking the nation.
(Jugoslavija, 30 January 2019 16:04)
Putin unrealistically expected to be treated as an equal by the US, unfortunately, all he got was a blast of flatulance in the face.
Sj,
I see you’re still up to your usual Tokyo Rose tactics, but to no avail. You must have been caught down wind from the blast Putin received, since you had your face too close to Putin’s rear.
(Django, 30 January 2019 15:11)
These countries are not wealthy because the people are not hard working and innovative. I could cite many examples but one common saying in Serbia will suffice: "When my neighbors cow dies, I don't have any benefits but he has a loss."
(JS, 31 January 2019 08:16)
True but people in your US work hard (every American I have met talks about working hard - it’s like some badge of honour to say they work hard) but the vast majority only receive between $7.50 and $12.50 an hour. When you come to think of it the hard-working Americans are no better off than people in Serbia. In fact, it is even worse since about 70% of all working Americans live from pay cheque to pay cheque.
During the first government shut down they were showing government workers going to charity organisations after a month for food to feed their families.
So much for innovation, but since you’re in Serbia tilling land on 3 farms and trimming the orchards you can show them the errors of their ways despite failing in the US.
(sj, 31 January 2019 12:03)
Sj,
I see you’re still up to your usual Tokyo Rose tactics, but to no avail. You must have been caught down wind from the blast Putin received, since you had your face too close to Putin’s rear.
(Django, 30 January 2019 15:11)
he Balkans needs to set it's own policies and destiny instead of being manipulated by the EU and the US. Take the lead of Turkey which set it's own economic policy and the EU is the last thing on people's mind due to economic prosperity. If the Balkans don't unite and set their own agenda, they are doomed for failure as fragmented states. Romania and Bulgaria has not seen the economic prosperity promised to them by the EU, Slovenia and Croatia are much the same. Greece is mired in debt and fiscal constraints that without relief is choking the nation.
(Jugoslavija, 30 January 2019 16:04)
Jugo, I'll plead ignorance right out of the gate!!! I'm not very familiar with the goings-on in Bulgaria and Romania (other than what Adrian from Bucharest posts here, and I still don't understand it), but I guess I"m a bit confused by this economic prosperity that's supposedly thriving in Croatia?!? Can you please give me some facts to support this statement and if possible explain your thoughts to me - and, I'm sure Lenard and Dwight are curious as well.
(Chi, 30 January 2019 20:45)
The Balkans needs to set it's own policies and destiny instead of being manipulated by the EU and the US. Take the lead of Turkey which set it's own economic policy and the EU is the last thing on people's mind due to economic prosperity. If the Balkans don't unite and set their own agenda, they are doomed for failure as fragmented states. Romania and Bulgaria has not seen the economic prosperity promised to them by the EU, Slovenia and Croatia are much the same. Greece is mired in debt and fiscal constraints that without relief is choking the nation.
(Jugoslavija, 30 January 2019 16:04)
These countries are not wealthy because the people are not hard working and innovative. I could cite many examples but one common saying in Serbia will suffice: "When my neighbors cow dies, I don't have any benefits but he has a loss."
(JS, 31 January 2019 08:16)
Putin unrealistically expected to be treated as an equal by the US, unfortunately, all he got was a blast of flatulance in the face.
Sj,
I see you’re still up to your usual Tokyo Rose tactics, but to no avail. You must have been caught down wind from the blast Putin received, since you had your face too close to Putin’s rear.
(Django, 30 January 2019 15:11)
Europeans saw the nearby tragedy as...clashes between ethnic nationalism, represented by Slobodan Milosevic, and the principle of multiethnic democracy, embodied by the European Union.
That is why the west is stuffed. As if it was only Milosevic representing ethnic nationalism. since they are so moved on this principle of multiethnic democracy why did they allow the ethnic cleansing of Serbs from Croatia? or perhaps Kosovo? In fact it was the US that gave the Croats the green light to remove the Serbs.
The west is run by stupid people who are appointed by the corporations and stupid people are more easily controlled. That's why we have Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, libya and now Venezuela.
(sj, 30 January 2019 12:15)
Ethnic nationalism was heavily endorsed by the western powers in every single one of the ex-YU countries, except Serbia, where it was condemned. The multi ethnic state were Balkans-tribalism was at least less prevelant was Yugoslavia, what they have deliberately destroyed, twice.
(svabo, 30 January 2019 14:37)
The Balkans needs to set it's own policies and destiny instead of being manipulated by the EU and the US. Take the lead of Turkey which set it's own economic policy and the EU is the last thing on people's mind due to economic prosperity. If the Balkans don't unite and set their own agenda, they are doomed for failure as fragmented states. Romania and Bulgaria has not seen the economic prosperity promised to them by the EU, Slovenia and Croatia are much the same. Greece is mired in debt and fiscal constraints that without relief is choking the nation.
(Jugoslavija, 30 January 2019 16:04)
These countries are not wealthy because the people are not hard working and innovative. I could cite many examples but one common saying in Serbia will suffice: "When my neighbors cow dies, I don't have any benefits but he has a loss."
(JS, 31 January 2019 08:16)
These stats are hardly surprising when you consider the social and economic situation in countries such as Albania and BiH.
Endemic corruption, backward social attitudes such as the casual acceptance of domestic violence and blood feuds. Chronic economic stagnation, unemployment and lack of investments. You also have the residual tension brought about by years of conflict and nationalist hatred. And a political class beholden to local power structures, devoid of any real vision for the future. It's little wonder then that ordinary people want to get the hell out.
(PEN, 30 January 2019 13:32)
The Balkans needs to set it's own policies and destiny instead of being manipulated by the EU and the US. Take the lead of Turkey which set it's own economic policy and the EU is the last thing on people's mind due to economic prosperity. If the Balkans don't unite and set their own agenda, they are doomed for failure as fragmented states. Romania and Bulgaria has not seen the economic prosperity promised to them by the EU, Slovenia and Croatia are much the same. Greece is mired in debt and fiscal constraints that without relief is choking the nation.
(Jugoslavija, 30 January 2019 16:04)
he Balkans needs to set it's own policies and destiny instead of being manipulated by the EU and the US. Take the lead of Turkey which set it's own economic policy and the EU is the last thing on people's mind due to economic prosperity. If the Balkans don't unite and set their own agenda, they are doomed for failure as fragmented states. Romania and Bulgaria has not seen the economic prosperity promised to them by the EU, Slovenia and Croatia are much the same. Greece is mired in debt and fiscal constraints that without relief is choking the nation.
(Jugoslavija, 30 January 2019 16:04)
Jugo, I'll plead ignorance right out of the gate!!! I'm not very familiar with the goings-on in Bulgaria and Romania (other than what Adrian from Bucharest posts here, and I still don't understand it), but I guess I"m a bit confused by this economic prosperity that's supposedly thriving in Croatia?!? Can you please give me some facts to support this statement and if possible explain your thoughts to me - and, I'm sure Lenard and Dwight are curious as well.
(Chi, 30 January 2019 20:45)
These countries are not wealthy because the people are not hard working and innovative. I could cite many examples but one common saying in Serbia will suffice: "When my neighbors cow dies, I don't have any benefits but he has a loss."
(JS, 31 January 2019 08:16)
True but people in your US work hard (every American I have met talks about working hard - it’s like some badge of honour to say they work hard) but the vast majority only receive between $7.50 and $12.50 an hour. When you come to think of it the hard-working Americans are no better off than people in Serbia. In fact, it is even worse since about 70% of all working Americans live from pay cheque to pay cheque.
During the first government shut down they were showing government workers going to charity organisations after a month for food to feed their families.
So much for innovation, but since you’re in Serbia tilling land on 3 farms and trimming the orchards you can show them the errors of their ways despite failing in the US.
(sj, 31 January 2019 12:03)
Sj,
I see you’re still up to your usual Tokyo Rose tactics, but to no avail. You must have been caught down wind from the blast Putin received, since you had your face too close to Putin’s rear.
(Django, 30 January 2019 15:11)