Projecting Stability in a Time of Crisis – The European Union’s Responsibility towards the Western Balkans
Projecting Stability in a Time of Crisis – The European Union’s Responsibility towards the Western Balkans

Summary/Abstract: On 1 January 2008, Portugal handed over the presidency of the European Union to Slovenia, the only country emerging from the violent break-up of former Yugoslavia at the beginning of the 1990s that has so far been able to join the European Union. As such, Ljubljana had originally planned to use its time at the helm of the Union to promote the EU’s further enlargement to South Eastern Europe. Yet, Slovenia is now faced with the challenge of steering the EU through the troubled waters caused by Prishtina’s self-proclaimed independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. Much will depend on the Union’s willingness to use all its resources in order to project stability within Kosovo and throughout the region. This refers in particular to the capability of the EU members to overcome their internal division regarding the recognition of Kosovo’s independence, and also to hammer out a unified position on how to deal with Serbia and the looming threat of a nationalist government in Belgrade.

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