Open Balkan Initiative in the context of Serbian foreign policy Western Balkans relations and challenges

Abstract

This paper explains the Open Balkan Initiative as a generally helpful regional project where complete legitimacy and participation should be essential for regional development and European transition. This thesis aims to understand the complex Serbian foreign policy and historical relations with neighboring countries in the context of the Open Balkan Initiative. This work considers Serbia's national interests, territorial integrity (Kosovo challenge), protection of Serbian people in the region, and relations with the EU, Russia and the U.S., and China. Furthermore, specific parts of Serbia's bilateral relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, and Albania indicate the future development of the Western Balkans region through the “Open Balkan.” In this paper, a SWOT analysis of the Open Balkans initiative was performed, in order to look at the various internal and external factors that influence the development of this project. The study concludes by identifying governments that are politically and democratically ready and mature for regional cooperation, weaknesses of the movement, and what should be the ultimate benefit of the participants and their citizens as well as the EU with the Open Balkan as complete, united, and coherent.