Despite all the uncertainties and retrograde tendencies and the slowing of common progress, the countries of the Western Balkans, the European Union, the USA and NATO have a real chance to establish a clear, common vision of the region that will be based on the necessary reforms, Milica Pejanović Đurišić said at the round table where presented the Security Report for the Western Balkans of the Atlantic Alliance of Montenegro.
Representatives of the diplomatic corps in Montenegro attended the round table at which global situations affecting the Western Balkans were discussed.
Recalling the series of crises that have befallen the world and the Western Balkans and their consequences that these countries are facing, Pejanović Đurišić emphasized that the Western Balkans is once again at the crossroads of various geo-political trends.
"Liberal democracy is in crisis, and Western values are called into question, the region is vulnerable, security has not been achieved," said Pejanović Đurišić.
That is why the report especially emphasizes that it is necessary for NATO to develop a new vision and for the EU, which has so far shown a lack of intention to be actively involved in solving the problem, to change its approach, she pointed out.
According to Pekanović Đurišić, the establishment of an effective dialogue between the USA and the EU, which would result in their agreement on a common strategy in the Western Balkans, is of key importance.
She said that it is encouraging that the new administration in Washington clearly shows its intention to continue where it once left off, "especially that it will engage in solving controversial issues in the region".
"Russia took advantage of all the weaknesses of the West," reminded Pejanović Đurišić, saying that that country, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, can block all processes in the Western Balkans.
She added that due to strong previous political and historical ties, Russia is establishing itself as a strong partner, and that it is now establishing itself as an energy, trade and partner and investor.
What is particularly emphasized in the report is the fact that the "soft power" of Russia is gaining intensity.
"This especially applies to Crna in Gora in recent years, both during the stages of preparations for full NATO membership and afterwards," Pejanović pointed out, noting that she exerts this influence through the Serbian Orthodox Church, by insisting on a Pan-Slavic identity, by expanding the network of connected and favorable media, as well as disinformation campaigns.
According to her, Russian "soft power" is becoming dominant and the region is susceptible to it due to weak institutions, poor information, low media and functional literacy of the population.
As announced by the Atlantic Alliance, the Report indicates that, unlike Russia, China has a different approach, insisting on the economy, appearing as a significant partner in the construction of infrastructure.
"Attractive arrangements are cleverly offered which, in the end, result in large debts". However, Pejanović Đurišić points out that this type of influence is already well known, which is encouraging.
Referring to the influence of Turkey, Pejanović Đurišić reminded that that country is perceived as an ally, with which the countries of the region have successful economic cooperation, but the fact that, in recent years, there has been a change in their foreign policy requires, in her opinion, caution.
"The European Union, as the most significant partner of the region due to its European perspective, must not hesitate and delay the process of integration of these countries because this could have serious consequences for the implementation of its strategic decisions in the field of foreign and security policy and geopolitical goals," she warned.
Illustrating the situation in the countries of the Western Balkans, Pejanović stated that in all of them civil society is not sufficiently developed and profiled, it is not devoid of political influence, and that the media, in some of them, are under the strong influence of economic and political groups.
"Manipulating divisions and fears of different national groups is a factor of political organization, while religion is the most important element in defining national identity. Also, none of these countries have sufficiently well-built capacities for managing in crisis situations," said Pejanović Đurišić.
As one of the special weaknesses of the region, she pointed out the high degree of sensitivity to misinformation and fake news in the region, which is obtained through intezit. Pejanović pointed out that the report shows that Serbia is the main training ground for articulating Russian interests through the media, officials and activists.
In this context, as a particularly illustrative example, she cited "Serbia's open interference in internal relations in Montenegro, which, following the model of Russian soft power, uses propaganda, disinformation placement in order to support their favorites on the political and NGO scene."
Recalling the key problems in the region that have security implications, Pejanović Đurišić mentioned the unresolved Serbian-Albanian relations and the connection with the status of Kosovo and the dysfunctionality of Dayton Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose sustainability is increasingly being questioned. As a consequence of the overall processes in the region, security challenges such as organized crime, terrorism, and violent extremism have emerged.
"The only answer to this is to improve the overall collective efficiency of security activities, with clearly expressed political will," she concludes.
In the report of the Atlantic Alliance of Montenegro, the situation in all the countries of the Western Balkans was analyzed individually, as well as the influences to which they are exposed.
When it comes to Montenegro, the report states that it was expected that the change of the long-term government of a dominant party would bring numerous problems and challenges in the political, economic and social sense.
"Nevertheless, the circumstances and the platform on which the change took place made Montenegro, from an anchor of stability, a leader of EU integration, a member of NATO, to become an example of the most successful penetration of Russian-Serbian politics in the Western Balkans," the report states.
The Ambassador of the United States of America, Judy Reising Reinke, as reported by the Atlantic Alliance, praised their initiative to produce a report on the security of the Western Balkans, adding that the report addresses the key issues that are often discussed, as well as security challenges and opportunities in the Western Balkans.
"She pointed out that the Western Balkans region is of great importance for the United States, as if America will continue to cooperate with the European Union with the aim of fully integrating the countries of the Western Balkans into the Euro-Atlantic community. Speaking about Montenegro and the challenges it faces, the US ambassador indicated the necessity of a joint response to the emergence of strong divisions on a national basis". it was announced from the Atlantic Alliance.
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