Prospects and Risks Beyond EU Enlargement : Southeastern Europe: Weak States and Strong International Support

With the European Union ́s upcoming eastern enlargement, Europe is confronted with the necessity of creating security and stability beyond the EU borders in Eastern and Southeastern Europe. This task includes not only numerous risks but also opportunities to face the challenges of the 21st century. This volume provides policy-oriented recommendations and differentiated assessments for all nine states and entities of the region, as well as for the policy areas of governance, economy and security. The authors explore the unintended consequences and side-effects of massive support for reforms and external influence on weak states. A concept for a "Mulit-Layered Europe" is developed for the strategic dilemmas concerning the current debate on "Wilder Europe". The unique alliance between analytical output and strategic thinking makes the book valuable for the academic community and for persons responsible for Europe ́s future. The volume is one of two from a joint project on "Security in Europa and beyond its borders" of the Bertelsmann Foundation in Guetersloh and the Center for Applied Policy Research in Munich. Werner Weidenfeld Since the signing of the Treaties of Rome in 1957, Western European history has been an ongoing process integrating and enlarging European institutions. Over the course of that time, the institutions now known as the European Union have become a major pillar for the security and stability for Europe as a whole. These essential functions can only be perpetuated if the Union can project its capacities and capabilities beyond its current borders. Today's European agenda is defined by integration. Offering prospects for membership in the EU has been a successful instrument for helping shape the transition in East Central Europe. The imminent first round of enlargement also calls for a deep­ ening of EU integration, which should be resolved through the EU Convention. While the European Union is preparing for ten new member states, developments in Europe are far from standing still. The countries beyond the EU's future borders in Eastern Europe and the Balkans are undertaking a threefold process of national con­ solidation, transition to a market economy and strengthening parliamentary democ­ racy. These processes entail risks that range from authoritarian regimes to armed es­ calation in Southeastern Europe. These risks have a direct impact on European secu­ rity and stability. At the same time, some areas of internal transition are making seri­ ous strides toward Western standards. For this reason, simply reducing Eastern and Southeastern Europe to a set of risks threatens to create a self-fulfilling prophecy. With the European Unionś upcoming eastern enlargement, Europe is confronted with the necessity of creating security and stability beyond the EU borders in Eastern and Southeastern Europe. This task includes not only numerous risks but also opportunities to face the challenges of the 21st century. This volume provides policy-oriented recommendations and differentiated assessments for all nine states and entities of the region, as well as for the policy areas of governance, economy and security. The authors explore the unintended consequences and side-effects of massive support for reforms and external influence on weak states. A concept for a "Mulit-Layered Europe" is developed for the strategic dilemmas concerning the current debate on "Wilder Europe". The unique alliance between analytical output and strategic thinking makes the book valuable for the academic community and for persons responsible for Europeś future. The volume is one of two from a joint project on "Security in Europa and beyond its borders" of the Bertelsmann Foundation in Guetersloh and the Center for Applied Policy Research in Munich Front Matter....Pages 1-9 Europe Beyond EU Enlargement....Pages 11-75 Front Matter....Pages 77-77 Governance: the Unequal Partnership....Pages 79-98 Economics: from International Assistance toward Self-Sustaining Growth....Pages 99-115 Security: from Powder Keg to Cooperation....Pages 117-147 Front Matter....Pages 149-149 Albania: the Weakness of the State....Pages 151-162 Bosnia-Herzegovina: a Matter of Survival....Pages 163-176 Bulgaria: a Kingdom of Losers?....Pages 177-193 Croatia: Between Central Europe and the Balkans....Pages 195-211 Kosova: A Fragile Agenda of Democratization....Pages 213-225 Macedonia: a Promising Journey Interrupted?....Pages 227-235 Montenegro: Land of Frozen Reforms....Pages 237-253 Romania: the Eternal Candidate?....Pages 255-269 Serbia: the Janus Head of State-Building....Pages 271-293 Back Matter....Pages 295-303