OPEN BALKAN VS. BERLIN PROCESS– SAME, SAME BUT DIFFERENT?

Donika Kamberi, Shefik Shehu

Abstract

Giving equal attention to both Berlin Process and Open Balkan initiative, clearly the moment has arrived to take a side. From a pragmatic perspective, the Open Balkan initiative seems quite appealing but on the flip side the Berlin Process seen from a functionalist perspective is the only route that the Western Balkan countries should follow. Even if in the normative aspect there is no difference between these two processes and the principles are quite compatible with each other, the first one excludes the EU while the second one develops by taking directives from the EU. Since the European Union is the final destination for the Western Balkans, the Berlin process is the arterial line that needs to be followed. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that these two processes may appear same but in the very essence they are different. Taking into account the mere fact that in the EU each and every country recognizes each other while in the Open Balkan project Serbia does not recognize Kosovo, and to this regard the tension is becoming acute when we take into account the fact that also Montenegro and Bosnia have unresolved bilateral issues with Serbia. In geopolitical optics this looks more like an aspiration for influence throughout the entire region rather than regional cooperation. Clearly, in conclusion I’ve claimed that the future of the region in the middle term is quite uncertain, time will show whether they are able to overcome the contradictions in regard to EU accession road.

Pages: 60 - 71