IMPACT OF THE 2015-2016 MIGRATION CRISIS ON BALKAN STATE RELATIONS REGARDING REGIONAL COOPERATION

Abstract

This article explores the impact of migration on interstate relations of source, transit, and target states by focusing on the Western Balkan migration route post-2015. The theoretic approach of the Copenhagen School is employed as it allows to interpret the securitising logic of discourse acts as well as the logic of regional security complexes. The article identifies the recurring themes of “unmanageable numbers” and “unmanageable integration” which were prevalent in the European discourse. Next, the article recounts a series of Europe wide unilateral border measures which were the result of individual governments attempting to limit the flow of migrants. Unilateral actions can result in flow blockage, diversion, or aggregation. The transnational nature of migration management is explored, as well as why states might act unilaterally or multilaterally and what negative or positive impacts could such actions have on other states involved. The article concludes that the Balkan region’s EU and NATO aspirations played a key role in shaping its response to the crisis synergising with the regional EU’s security overlap. As far as Romania is concerned, it must continue to expand its migration management capacities in order to successfully do its part to mitigate its risk exposure and maximise its strategic diplomatic leverage vis-à-vis the issue of migration, especially in the eventuality of its inclusion into the Schengen area.