BILATERAL RELATIONS

Bilateral disputes between European Union member states and candidate countries are one of the key obstacles to EU enlargement. They have been plaguing the EU accession process ever since the breakup of Yugoslavia and the subsequent border dispute between EU member Slovenia and candidate country Croatia which then ensued. More recently we have the case of North Macedonia. It became a candidate country in 2005 but ever since, its accession negotiations have been bogged down by endless bilateral disputes.

Bilateral disputes between European Union member states and candidate countries are one of the key obstacles to EU enlargement. They have been plaguing the EU accession process ever since the breakup of Yugoslavia and the subsequent border dispute between EU member Slovenia and candidate country Croatia which then ensued. More recently we have the case of North Macedonia. It became a candidate country in 2005 but ever since, its accession negotiations have been bogged down by endless bilateral disputes.

The study analyses Serbian citizens' views on three main topics – the possibility of outbreak of conflict in the Balkans, Serbia's bilateral relations with its neighbours, as well as the key benefits and opportunities of regional cooperation and initiatives.

This report examines the Chinese presence in Serbia through a human security lens, in terms of how it impacts the quality of life and the security of local communities.

Are the citizens of Serbia afraid of the outbreak of armed conflict in the region? What do they think about the Open Balkans initiative? What is their view on the solidarity in the region, and how do they see Serbia's relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. We present you an analysis of citizens' attitudes on these topics.

Are we witnessing a new arms race in the Western Balkans between Serbia and Croatia, or is that just a show by politicians to boost their domestic standing? Read more about that topic in the latest analysis by BCSP researchers Vuk Vuksanović and Marija Ignjatijević.

Military cooperation between Serbia and the United States is the topic of the latest analysis by BCBP researcher Maria Ignjatijevic.

What challenges the new American administration will face in the Balkans, and how should it approach them? Read in the latest analysis of BCSP researcher Vuk Vuksanović.

Paris should take a brave approach and involvement in helping reforms on the ground in the Western Balkans instead of maintaining the status quo and further losing its credibility in the region – it was concluded during the online event “France and the Western Balkans’ EU membership”, organized by BCSP on Friday, March 5th .