Western Balkans, Reforms and Eurointegrations

Abstract

The subject of this research is the processes of transition and reform in the Balkans and integration into the European Union (EU). These processes have their historical, political, economic, social causes and consequences. The efforts and efforts to integrate the countries of the Western Balkans (WB) into the European space are emphasized. The question is: can the Western Balkan countries help each other in further regional and European integration? The assumption is that the knowledge and experience gained so far about the aforementioned integrations is poorly used, but that there are realistic social and economic assumptions to accelerate the reforms of these societies. The countries of the Western Balkans should learn from the positive experiences of EU member states, but also adapt normative and other solutions to their own social circumstances. Furthermore, the authors refer to the emergence and meaning of the term Western Balkans, which came to the limelight from the beginning of the 20th century, and revived in the last decade of the same century, when it is most commonly used to denote an atmosphere of intolerance, hatred, conflict, war and division. Such an atmosphere dominated the breakup of Yugoslavia and resulted in the warlike dissolution of society and the common state. These processes are an obstacle to the reforms, democratization, economic progress and European integration of the Western Balkan countries. However, the intense work and desire for EU integration in recent years, in these countries, have contributed to making conflicts in the past a barrier to further development