Suchergebnisse

Trotz einer langen Tradition der Beziehungen zwischen Frankreich und dem Balkan lässt sich weder während der Balkan-Kriege noch heute eine spezifisch französische Politik in der Region ausmachen. In Abgrenzung zu der traditionell proserbischen Orientierung Frankreichs entwickelt sich, unterstützt von der öffentlichen Meinung und den Medien, nach dem Zerfall Jugoslawiens eine politisch wie humanitär aktive Solidaritätsbewegung mit Bosnien-Herzegowina. Während des Kosovo-Konflikts im Jahr 1999 beteiligt sich Frankreich unter der Präsidentschaft Chirac ohne eigene strategische Ambitionen an der NATO-Offensive und unterstützt im Einklang mit seinen europäischen Partnern nach dem Jahr 2000 den demokratischen Wandel Serbiens. Trotz diplomatischer und kultureller Präsenz Frankreichs in den neuen Balkan-Staaten bleibt die wirtschaftliche und politische Kooperation mit der Region schwach ausgeprägt. Paris teilt angesichts des Annäherungsprozesses der Balkan-Staaten an die EU die zurückhaltende Position der europäischen Partner.

Criminal networks in the Balkans combine permanent & changing features which highlight the internal & external social & geographical relationships in a region where the connection between states & societies are complex & external influences are contradictory. The permanent features are the geographical location & conditions (ie., a territorially fragmented region) & the links between the criminal networks & state institutions. On the other hand, internal changes (political goals, sovereignty) may modify the relationships between the different actors concerned. Adapted from the source document.

Résumé Les réseaux criminels des Balkans sont marqués à la fois par des permanences et des mutations, qui mettent en lumière les relations sociales et géographiques internes et externes de la région, où les rapports entre États et sociétés sont complexes, et où s'exercent des influences extérieures contradictoires. Les permanences sont la situation et les conditions géographiques (un carrefour territorialement morcelé), et les liens des réseaux avec les structures étatiques. Les changements internes (objectifs politiques, souveraineté) peuvent modifier les rapports entre les différents acteurs impliqués.

Although the global economic crisis has severely impacted all of Europe, the western Balkans are without doubt one of the worst hit regions. This area had only just started to recover from the horrendous internecine wars of the 1990s, and is now being affected once again, bringing economic development to a grinding halt. The various states that make up the region have not all been impacted in the same way. Croatia and Serbia, which had started to attract foreign investment and hoped to join the European Union, have been the worst hit. By comparison, Bosnia and Kosovo, less exposed to the rest of the world, have not suffered as much, although their progress has also been slowed. As is always the case in these situations, the demagogues and the radicals are making headway. To ensure that the Balkans do not once again slide into anarchy, the international community must realize the dangers and do everything in its power to keep the region afloat. Adapted from the source document.

Twenty years ago Yugoslavia was imploding, leading to several terrible wars. Peace slowly returned during the following decade, along with reconciliation of a sort. Today, the former Yugoslavian republics are looking in the same direction, towards the European Union. Countries in the Western Balkans dream of following in the footsteps of Slovenia, which joined the EU in 2004. But they're not all marching to the same beat. Croatia and Montenegro are on track, and will undoubtedly join the EU in the near future. Serbia has made significant progress, but must still settle certain outstanding issues, especially hunting down war criminals sought by the International Court of Justice. Macedonia, on the other hand, is still blocked by a quarrel with Greece about its official name. And both Bosnia and Kosovo are lagging well behind, and are not expected to catch up for many years. Adapted from the source document.

Faithful to its multilateral strategy, Turkey is developing a multifaceted diplomacy as well, not just in the Middle East, but also in the Balkans. For example, the country's leaders are increasing their trips to this region, while Turkish companies are making massive investments. Turkey is also seeking to play a role as mediator in the simmering conflicts between countries in the region (especially Serbia and Bosnia), underscoring its status as an international player. To play this role, it counts on the many Muslims residing in these countries, whether in the majority (Bosnia, Kosovo, Albania) or the minority (Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria). No matter what happens, this new local presence will benefit Turkey. If the European integration of Balkan countries starts up again, Ankara hopes to benefit, and will surely remind them of the constructive role played by its diplomatic corps. If the process continues to be stalled, on the other hand, Turkey will call on its network of bilateral agreements to stake a claim as an "alternative option" to a still evasive European Union. Adapted from the source document.