CURRENT DEFENSE AND SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE WESTERN BALKANS 

On November 10, 2022, Strategic Analysis Think Tank organized a small closed discussion, entitled “Current Defence and Security Challenges in the Western Balkans”.

The speakers of the discussion were Mr. Martin Sklenár, Director General of the Defence Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic, and Mr. Faruk Geci, Director for Defence Policy of the Ministry of Defence, Kosovo. 

The war in Ukraine has affected the entire European community, including the Western Balkans. With the ongoing conflict, the region finds itself in an imaginary impasse between Russia and the West, where each state is beginning to take stock of its options. There is also a space for a ‚reopening‘ of the tense relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

These tensions between Kosovo and Serbia are reminiscent of the fragile security and unresolved issues that subsequently affect the entire Western Balkan region. It is more than important to discuss all the challenges we face at the same table.

Finally, it is also up to the two governments in Belgrade and Prishtina to find steps that will bring good sense to the region and enable practical solutions to practical problems and allow time for a change in the overall issue of normalization of relations. Communication is the key – we will not hurt anyone by talking. Communication channels need to remain open in order to understand each other better.

We are glad that we, as the Strategic Analysis Think Tank, could be part of this discussion, and looking forward to furthering cooperation!