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

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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

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

Kaynakça

1. Bosnia and Herzegovina Gap Analysis. Europe and Eurasia Bureau, US AID. Strategic Planning and Analysis Division, January 2011.5. http://www.usaid.gov/locations/europe_eurasia/wp/mpc_gap_analyses- bosnia_january_2011.pdf.
2. Dedeoğlu, Emin. “Perspectives on Decentralisation in Turkey.” TEPAV Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey, Fiscal Decentralization Donor's and Local Stakeholder's Coordination Workshop, Istanbul, Turkey: November 29th-30th 2006.
3. Djokić, Bratislav. “Decentralisation Process in Republic of Serbia in View of Optimal Territorial Organization.” Presented at conference entitled ‘Decentralisation between Regionalism and Federalism in the Stability Pact Countries of the Western Balkans,’ June 9th-10th, 2006.
4. Eralp, Doğa Ulaş. “Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina: A Future Reflecting on the Past.” SETA Policy Brief 46. SETA Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research, August 2010.
5. “Kosovo 2010 Progress Report; accompanying the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council; Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2010-2011, Commission Staff Working Document, European Commission, November 9th 2010.
6. “Serbia 2010 Progress Report; accompanying the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council; Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2010-2011, Commission Staff Working Document, European Commission,November 9th 2010.
7. “Insights and Perceptions: Voice of the Balkans; in Partnership with the European Fund for the Balkans.” Gallup Balkan Monitor. 2010 Summary of Findings.
8. Huszka, Beata. “Decentralisation of Serbia – the Minority Dimension.” Central European University, Center for Policy Studies, 2006-2007.

9. “Serbia: Maintaining Peace in the Presevo Valley.” Europe Report 186. International Crisis Group,October 16th 2007.
10. “Serbia’s Sandzak: Still Forgotten.” Europe Report 162, International Crisis Group, April 8th 2005.
11. Joseph, Edward P. and R. Bruce Hitchner. Marking Bosnia Work: Why EU Accession is Not Enough. United States Institute of Peace, June 2008.
12. Mirkovic, Rastislava. “Bosniak Minority in Sandzak (Serbia)-from Constitutive Nation to Minority.”
13. Obradovic, Pedja. “Serbia Makes Uneven Progress on Integrating Minorities.” April 20th, 2011. http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbia-makes-uneven-progress- on-integrating-minoritie.
14. Shaw, Calum. The EU and the Western Balkans: Grassroots Peacebuilding and Enlargement. The Quaker Council for European Affairs, January 2009.
15. Vachudova, Milada Anna. The European Union, the Balkans, and Turkey: Can Soft Power Bring Stability and Democracy? Meeting Report 280. The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars,October 2003.
16. Woehrel, Steven. Future of the Balkans and U.S. Policy Concerns. Congressional Research Service, May 13th, 2009.