Issues with regional reintegration of the Western Balkans

Abstract

The development of regional cooperation is in the best interests of all the western Balkan countries: it is a key factor for establishing political stability, security and economic prosperity.… In this context, regional cooperation is therefore a cornerstone of the EU's policy framework for the western Balkans—the stabilization and association process, which offers to the countries of the region the possibility of eventual EU membership. (Olli Rehn,1 European Commissioner for Enlargement)  1 European Commission, Regional Cooperation in the Western Balkans, European Commission, Brussels, 2005, p. 2. The [Southeast Europe] region must be given a perspective of re-joining the European mainstream—because the clearest lesson of the past 50 years is that integration breeds trust, stability and prosperity. (Lord Robertson,2 Secretary General NATO)  2 Southeast Europe Initiative—NATO Fact Sheet, < www.nato.int/docu/facts/2001/seei.htm> (10 November 2004).