European Forum

Regional summit in Slovenia reveals divisions within the Balkans

Over the weekend (Saturday 20 March) a Balkan summit was held in Slovenia. While the summit was meant to revive regional cooperation, it instead revealed deep divisions between the former Yugoslavian countries despite their common goal of joining the European Union, with Serbia refusing to attend. The conference was organized by Slovenia and Croatia.

The conference was boycotted by Serbian President Boris Tadić due to the presence of Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Thaçi. Serbia had warned it would only attend international conferences where Kosovo is represented under its UNMIK heading, as the country was a UN protectorate before unilaterally declaring independence in February 2008. Serbia has vowed never to recognize Kosovo.

EU running out of patience
The conference brought seven Prime Ministers from the region together in a Slovenian resort. Participants said the meeting was a step in the right direction, even without the participation of  Serbia. EU Enlargement Commissioner, Stefan Fuele, told reporters ahead of his arrival: "This conference will be a step in the right direction that the countries understand it is for the benefit of them to work together." However, he deliberately left early from the summit, signalling that the European Commission's patience with the Western Balkans has its limits. On a visit to Albania, earlier, Füle used unusually tough language, warning Tirana that a prolonged political stalemate would harm the country's EU accession prospects. Füle was the only EU representative to attend the regional summit. Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council, had stated that he would attend only if all countries were represented, but this important political message failed to impress Belgrade.

Disappointment on Serbia’s absence
Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said the Balkan's youngest country's aim was "cooperation, not boycott." "This is a very good opportunity for every leader of our countries to present their vision for peace, stability, regional cooperation, and EU integration," he said. "It is regrettable that [Serbian President] Mr Tadic is not here...This is a very important meeting on regional cooperation. It's substantial for all of us who aspire to an EU future and integration," Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said.

Almost 20 years after the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia, Slovenia is the only former Yugoslav state to join the EU in 2004. Croatia hopes to follow in 2012, while others have still a long way to go. All of them have to implement political and economic reforms, while Serbia also has to cooperate with the UN War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague, and show a more constructive stance on Kosovo. Although the nationalism that fuelled ethnic wars at the breakup of Yugoslavia has eased, many conflicts in the region remain as most states continue to have bilateral border and economic problems.
 
Sources: SE Times; RFE/RL; EurActiv