EU policy of conditioning is a major stimulus for regional security cooperation

External factors, primarily EU policy of conditioning, play a key role in fostering regional security cooperation, it was concluded during the introductory panel of the regional conference “Security Transitions in the Western Balkans: From Conflict Zone to Security Community?” organized on 19. December 2013. in Skopje.

Positive role of international actors

During the discussion on the success of police cooperation in the Western Balkans it was stated that international actors play a positive role, but that it is also important that there are internal factors which will encourage collaboration. It was pointed out that the common problems, such as transnational crime, require joint solutions, i.e. cooperation. The panelists also pointed out that it is impossible to think about national security, without thinking about regional security.

As the biggest success of regional security cooperation it was stated the fact that the possibility of a new armed conflict practically does not exist, but the question remains whether regional cooperation is sustainable and whether it will exist when there will not be any external pressure (EU conditioning).

Speakers agreed that encouraging cooperation in the region should be a priority in the future. It was pointed out that the situation in the field indicates that informal interactions exist between these two spheres, for example between the Macedonian and Albanian police, especially at the border. It was also stated that the normative framework of cooperation is necessary but not sufficient for good cooperation and that informal forms of cooperation between members of the security institutions are necessary and that they are a positive indicator.

Participants of the first panel, besides BCSP director were Cvete Koneska (Analytica from Skopje), Sandro Knezović (Institute for Development and International Relations IRMO from Zagreb), Donika Emini (Kosovo Centre for Security Studies KCSS from Pristina) and Dženita Brčvak (Centre for Democracy and Human Rights CEDEM from Podgorica).

Influence of diplomats, soldiers and academics on regional security

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How much diplomats, soldiers and academics contribute to security community in the Balkans was the topic of the second panel of regional conference.

 „In contrast to journalists and experts, academics have the luxury to deeply think about international security. Balkan academics who take part in regional cooperation are ready to criticize their own governments, but they are not critical towards external actors“, said Member of the BCSP Executive Board Filip Ejdus.

It was also said that Balkan security professionals believe that they are part of solution, while politicians are problem for interstate relations in the region. During the conference, it was pointed out the fact that diplomacy is the traditional tool for conducting peaceful inter-state relations.

Participants at the second panel were Member of the BCSP Executive Board Filip Ejdus, Arjan Dyrmishi from Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM), Tirana and Denis Hadžović from Centre for Security Studies (CSS), Sarajevo.