The reconstruction of South East Europe, the Stability Pact and the role of the EU: an overview

• Published in: Most (Bologna, Italy) Vol. 10; no. 2; pp. 245 - 263
• Main Authors: Bartlett, Will, Samardzija, Visnja
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-01-2000
• Subjects: Balkan States; Democratization; Eastern Europe; Europe; European integration; European Union; International community; International Cooperation; International Trade; Reconstruction; Regional cooperation; Southeast Europe; Stability; Stability Pact
• ISSN: 1120-7388
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1026776526543

In the aftermath of the Kosovo crisis, the international community agreed on a Stability Pact to provide a framework that will contribute to the long-term security & stability of the whole region of Southeast Europe (SEE). The idea is to bring the region closer to the European integration process through new institutional relations with the European Union (EU), as well as through the provision of assistance for reconstruction & development. As a contribution to the Stability Pact, the EU has announced the upgrading of its "regional approach" to the countries of the so-called "Western Balkans": Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia (FYROM), & Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro). Under the new Stabilization & Association Process all these countries could in principle become eligible to start negotiations for a new type of association agreement with the EU. The new Stabilization & Association Agreements would offer the countries in the region improved prospects for international trade with the EU, which would potentially provide increased export revenues to finance the reconstruction of the region from its own resources. However, in keeping with the previous regional approach, strict conditions have been laid down for countries to open negotiations on the new association agreements, including progress in democratization & economic reform. In addition, the new policy framework also emphasizes the need for the development of intraregional cooperation between the countries concerned. The paper presents a discussion & evaluation of the new policy approach toward regional cooperation & prospects for European integration in the context of the problems of economic reconstruction, democratic transition, & consolidation in Southeast Europe. 1 Appendix, 21 References. Adapted from the source document.