Regional initiatives and multilateral cooperation in the Balkans Authors: Duško Lopandić, Jasminka Kronja Published by the European Movement in Serbia and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in Serbia

Part One HISTORICAL OVERVIEW Highlights Continuity and actuality of ideas and efforts that could inspire present actors Proposed in 1932 Realized in 2005 Third Balkan Conference - common Balkan history textbook CDRSEE Joint History project - 4 workbooks on modern SEE history

Part Two REVIEW OF REGIONAL INITIATIVES Part Two REVIEW OF REGIONAL INITIATIVES (SEECP, RCC, BSEC, CEI, CEFTA, AII, Danube CP…) Highlights SEECP – important asset: regular annual summits, MFAs meetings twice a year 23 years ago, it took 2 years of highly sophisticated diplomatic action to convene first meeting of MFAs in February 1988 in Belgrade

Part Two REVIEW OF REGIONAL INITIATIVES HighlightsRCC Important representative of the interests of the region at European and international scene; Important representative of the interests of the region at European and international scene; Significant results in programming, functional and thematic consolidation of regional cooperation based on enhanced participation of the region. Significant results in programming, functional and thematic consolidation of regional cooperation based on enhanced participation of the region. New quality Fast regional response on developments in the EU Europe 2020 – Western Balkans in

Part Three THEMATIC OVERVIEW Highlights Over 50 thematic initiatives and WGs – increased number, variety of forms, contents, status Are they result of regions interest or …, are they all useful? CSOs monitoring and evaluation to give an answer

Part Four EUROPEAN UNION AND THE BALKANS Highlights Common goal of all Balkan countries towards membership in the EU is strong cohesive factor; Evident that regional cooperation is integral part of the European integration process; Involvement and support of the EU in the region is significant - catalyst for change.

CONCLUSION - Questions Do RIs, and to what extent, Contribute to the achievement of the goals proclaimed in their founding documents? Contribute to the achievement of the goals proclaimed in their founding documents? Contribute to overall stability, modernisation of economy and society and better life for citizens of SEE countries? Contribute to overall stability, modernisation of economy and society and better life for citizens of SEE countries? Contribute to strengthening economic cooperation and integration processes in the region, including geopolitical and economic shaping of the region as a specific entity in European architecture? Contribute to strengthening economic cooperation and integration processes in the region, including geopolitical and economic shaping of the region as a specific entity in European architecture? Contribute to the main strategic goal of all SEE countries: integration into the European Union? Contribute to the main strategic goal of all SEE countries: integration into the European Union?

Overall conclusion The existence and overall activity of RIs in SEE is undoubtedly positive. They Have an impact on new forms of conduct, overcoming narrow- minded nationalism and the idea of self-sufficiency of states; Encourage cooperation among administrations, economic, business, academic and other circles of countries from the region; Reduce various forms of obstacles and facilitate communication in the region, and create networks of contacts; Affect public opinion and raise awareness of the common goals of all countries from the region; Facilitate the processes of preparation of cross-border projects and engagement of international financial resources.

Vision of the region? Vision of the region? What is the picture of regional cooperation we envision in the future? Macro-region within the EU - South Eastern dimension of the EU or Weak structure that will fall apart when some of candidate countries join the EU? Proposal - strategic debate to outline the shared vision of SEE region (SEECP Summit).

At the end… The book is dedicated to CHILDREN OF THE BALKANS – CITIZENS OF EUROPE