Garčević Publishes Op-Ed on EU Expansion in the Balkans
Amb. Vesko Garčević, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations at the Frederick S.Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, published a recent op-ed on the European Union enlargement process in the Balkans outlining the long-standing dilemmas of Serbia, one of the biggest states in the region, and the Russian role in the country. Current doubts and challenges many Balkans states are faced with can be condensed in a saying: with Russia in their hearts, they dream about the EU.
His Op-Ed, entitled West Side Story in Serbia, was published in The EastWest Magazine May/Jun 2017 edition as a part of the Dossier: The Forgotten Balkans. The EastWest Magazine is an Italian geopolitical Magazine known for its pro-EU viewpoints. Its editorial board includes Javier Solana, former NATO Secretary General and Romano Prodi, former President of the European Commission.
From the text of the article:
At the beginning of March, Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission traveled to the Western Balkans to encourage states from the region to move forward on the reform path and reinvigorate the EU enlargement process in this part of Europe. Her trip was not only a demanding political task but also in some moments a highly unpleasant and frustrating experience as she had to deal with a complex regional situation and unpredictable local actors… While addressing the Serbian Parliament, Mogherini had been booed by MPs from far-right, nationalistic and xenophobic Serbian Radical Party, who were banging on benches and chanting “Serbia, Russia, we don’t need the Union”.
It’s not easy to understand and properly explain Serbia’s historical, national and political dilemmas. Besides lasting good relations rooted in cultural and religious similarities, Serbia has a strong political motive to stick to Russia. Belgrade doesn’t recognize Kosovo’s independence, and hardly one can imagine any Serbian Government or politician willing to swallow this bitter pill in a foreseeable future… It is multiplied by the belief of many Serbian citizens that Russia “fully understands emotions of Serbs” whereas the EU backs Kosovo Albanians.
The EU, on the other hand, has to be more engaged in the region. The EU perspective for the Western Balkans must be reinvigorated… If the EU give up on the Western Balkans, Serbia may give up on the EU. In that case, the winner is Russia.
Prior to joining the Pardee School faculty, Amb. Garčević served as National Coordinator for NATO in Montenegro, where he managed inter-agency coordination and NATO public campaign promoting Montenegro’s membership to the organization.