The Contribution Of Turkish-Serbian Relations Towards Improving Security In The Western Balkans

Year 2011, Volume: 3 Issue: 5, 245 - 268, 01.12.2011

Athina Tesfa-yohannes Athina Tesfa Yohannes

Abstract

In recent years, economic relations between the two countries have been on the rise with renewed Turkish investment in Serbia, free trade agreement, and a visa-free regime. Turkey’s relations with Serbia have gained momentum and will have likely positive effects on three particular integration issues that pose significant security risks within the Western Balkans, given the fragility of the region. These issues are the integration of ethnic Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Republika Srpska, the integration of ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo, and integration of ethnic Bosniaks and Albanians in southwestern Serbia. Turkey and Serbia’s strengthening relations will mitigate security risks which may arise as a result of these integration-related issues. 

Keywords

Western Balkans, Turkey-Serbia Relations, Security, Integration

Türkiye-Sırbistan İlişkilerinin Batı Balkanların Güvenliğine Olumlu Etkileri

Abstract

Son yıllarda Türkiye’nin Sırbistan’da artan yatırımları, yürürlüğe giren serbest ticaret anlaşması ve karşılıklı vize muafiyeti ile iki ülke arasındaki ticari ilişkiler güçlenme eğilimine girmiştir. Türkiye-Sırbistan yakınlaşması Batı Balkanlardaki üç önemli entegrasyon sorununun çözümüne olumlu katkı sağlayabilir. Bölge güvenliğini etkileyebilecek riskleri barındıran bahse konu entegrasyon sorunları; Bosna-Hersek’teki Sırpların, Kosova’nın kuzeyindeki Sırpların ve güneybatı Sırbistan’daki Boşnak ve Arnavutların entegrasyon sorunlarıdır. Türkiye-Sırbistan arasında güçlenen ilişkiler, bu üç entegrasyon sorunundan kaynaklanabilecek risklerin asgari seviyeye indirilmesine hizmet edebilir.

Keywords

Batı Balkanlar, Türkiye-Sırbistan İlişkileri, Güvenlik,  Entegrasyon.

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