Newsletter 8/2010 - Our South East Europe
INTERVIEW with Dr. Visnja Samardzija, Head of Department for European Integration, Institute for International Relations, Croatia
Ownership in regional cooperation will further increase in 2011
Dr. Samardzija, how do you see regional cooperation developing in the next year, also in the context of further EU enlargement?
The year 2011 will be important for the region due to the fact that
Regional cooperation in 2011 should be a continuation of already started initiatives. For example, some important steps for continuing the rapprochement and reconciliation policy were taken on high political level between
There are growing cooperative initiatives both on bilateral and regional level in justice and home affairs. The idea leading to establishing a regional arrest warrant would be an important step forward and platform for combating organized crime.
Finally, the upcoming Danube Region Strategy will open a new, very concrete platform for cooperation for the countries of the region sharing the
What could be the biggest obstacles to success of regional cooperation, in the aftermath of recent political developments?
In the first place, a dangerous obstacle to the success of regional cooperation is slow speed of the EU enlargement process. It goes without saying that the prospect of EU membership is a strong cohesive force among South East European multiethnic societies and post-conflict region. However, there is a fear in the region that a slowdown in enlargement process might continue (with the exception of
The results of the last Gallup Balkan Monitor 2010 show that “the EU has lost its magic but has not lost its importance”. The support for the EU is decreasing across the region (highest in Kosovo, lowest in
The EU should not allow further reduction of integration enthusiasm of SAP countries and should find ways to ensure that enlargement commitment towards the region remains credible. Consistent process is needed that enables progress for each particular country based on the
Unresolved bilateral disputes could be another obstacle for the success of regional cooperation. A positive example of solving the bilateral dispute is one between the neighbouring countries
Visa-free regime for all the countries of the region (including
How could the challenges be overcome?
The EU should send practical messages that the enlargement process is not slowing down. On the other hand, the countries of the region should start behaving as if they were already members of the EU and demonstrate commitment to EU values by implementing their national reforms as well as through regional cooperation. The areas particularly important for strengthening cooperation are fight against organised crime and corruption as well as development of transport infrastructure.
What is your forecast for South
Although the economic crisis did not hit all the countries of the region with the same intensity, the recession is still present in all of them. With a slight optimism it could be said that there are modest signs of recovery in the region but the countries still face problems of widening fiscal deficits, high levels of unemployment and low competitiveness. General impression is that the reform momentum has slowed down and the countries of the region should strive to do more regarding their reform processes.
The key words seem to be structural reforms. Achieving sustainable growth rates will require strengthening structural economic reforms and prudent fiscal policies in a medium term period. However, a stronger inflow of foreign investment, particularly the
Visnja Samardzija joined the Croatian Institute for International Relations (IMO) in 1981. Samardzija also worked as Assistant Minister for European Integration of

Dr. Visnja Samardzija, Head of Department for European Integration, Institute for International Relations, Croatia (Photo: courtesy of Ms Samardzija)