ABSTRACT
The current global context, particularly in Europe, has heightened the importance of security concerns, as the significant changes that have occurred and are anticipated pose a considerable threat to peace and stability. The Western Balkans has identified European integration as a fundamental strategy for achieving lasting peace and stability. In light of the recent escalation of security threats in Eastern Europe, particularly the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the urgency of addressing these risks has intensified. Effective protection against such threats necessitates a unified European policy that encompasses both the EU member states and the countries of the Western Balkans. The Western Balkans is a political notion with multiple geographical definitions. The Western Balkans, a region that includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo, was the area where East and West were divided throughout the Cold War. Today, the countries of the Western Balkans that have passed the transition period still face the difficulties of their consolidation or the stability of bilateral agreements. Although they are located on the European continent with cultural diversity in a narrow space, they still need to be put in the European integration and security process. In this context, the Western Balkans remains a critical region within the broader European framework, where stability, peace, and security require both internal reforms and external support. The integration of these countries into the EU is not only vital for regional peace but also for the collective security of Europe as a whole. This paper examines the dynamics of Western Balkan integration, the security challenges the region faces, and potential pathways toward a more stable and secure European future.
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