Writen by: BV Team
Down in the Balkans—this is how the region is defined by renowned Bulgarian scholar Maria Todorova. Meanwhile, Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister during and after World War II, famously remarked that the Balkans produce more history than they can consume.
Amid prejudices and harsh realities, the Balkans remain a metaphor in their own right. Historical upheavals have prevented lasting peace in this part of Europe, even after the bloody wars of the last century. Despite dozens of initiatives for reconciliation, peace, and stability, the Balkans continue to struggle in a precarious state of peace.
The Western Balkans are often referred to as the “belly of Europe.” This is not only due to their geographical position—stretching across the southern front of the continent along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas—but also because of political and security instability.
In the 1990s, the Balkans were the theater of bloody conflicts, shattering the post-World War II image of a peaceful and progressive Europe. The foundations of the European Union were laid in 1952, only seven years after the war ended. Today, over seven decades later, Europe has transformed its member states from competitors into allies, from enemies into partners. It has grown from small markets into a large and powerful economic entity with over 500 million inhabitants. That was the time when Europeans collectively said “enough” to hatred and war.
Between 1945 and 1950, figures like Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer, and Winston Churchill spearheaded efforts to usher in a new era of peace after the bloody wars between their nations.
People Want Peace, but Politics Favor Tensions
Aleksandar Cakov, a civil society representative in Skopje, believes that the peoples of the Balkans can coexist, despite past conflicts.
“We know the history of the Balkans as a region; however, I am deeply convinced that we can all live together in this space. Despite our differences, we share many commonalities that bind us. Therefore, we must find a way to coexist, promote positive stories of coexistence, and realize that we have no other home. We must dedicate ourselves to respecting and celebrating our differences while acknowledging our shared values. Only through this can we work towards peace and prosperity in this region,” says Cakov.
Fatjona Mejdini, the Europe Director for “Global Initiative,” argues that the Western Balkans have all the potential and opportunity to live in peace.
“The Balkans have demonstrated over the past 20 years that they can live in peace. Generally speaking, there have been no wars. Things have progressed normally, and efforts have been made by governments, the European Union, and other partners like the United States to maintain stability, knowing the region’s troubled past,” says Mejdini.
However, she adds, “It’s strange because just when we think peace is possible in the region, events like the Banjska incident (Kosovo) remind us of the fragility of the situation.”
Marija Angjelković, a representative of the ASTRA organization in Serbia, believes that people desire peace, but politicians create tensions. “Politicians exploit nationalism and whatever tools they can to destabilize the region,” she says.
Dajana Cvjetković from SMART Balkans in Bosnia and Herzegovina expresses strong belief in the possibility of peace and prosperity but emphasizes the need for inner reconciliation. “It’s not easy when we live in such a politically complicated state and often receive discouraging messages from the media. This can create tensions among people in the Western Balkans,” she adds.
Cooperation Initiatives
Dozens of cooperation initiatives and hundreds of reconciliation projects have failed to bring European peace to this troubled land. From the Open Balkans initiative to the Berlin Process, regional leaders have yet to find the formula for peace and reconciliation achieved by Schuman, Adenauer, and Churchill.
Peace, stability, and good governance, as prerequisites for economic prosperity, remain the biggest challenges for the region.
“We know that despite ethnic and political divisions in the Balkans, one thing unites everyone: the economy. I believe all Balkan citizens share a common aspiration to live in countries with strong economies where they can build better lives and provide safety for their children,” says Mejdini.
According to her, the economy is the unifying element for all countries in the region. “If we look at Europe after World War II, the key element that united economies and helped integrate countries deeply divided by war was the economy. The European Union was initially built as an economic union, which later incorporated political and geostrategic criteria.”
For Aleksandar Cakov, it’s crucial to keep discussions alive, bring these issues to public attention, and ensure they are covered by the media. “The media portrayal—whether positive or negative—will ultimately shape public opinion,” he says.
For Dajana Cvjetković, prosperity in the Western Balkans is like a dream. “We need to work hard, find new approaches, fresh energy, and engage new people to achieve prosperity—not just economic but also social prosperity in the region. People here must believe in this possibility, even as many from the region live abroad,” she says.
Marija Ružić Stajović from NGO Juventas in Montenegro stresses the need to address common problems in the region, such as organized crime and corruption. “We also need to strengthen integrity and genuine values that aim for societal development before we can talk about economic prosperity and building cohesive societies,” she adds.
The Media’s Role in Promoting Constructive Policies
The media’s role is seen as crucial in promoting peace, stability, and good governance. Creating public opinion that favors cooperation and avoids conflict remains a task for the media, civil society, and academia.
Gentiana Gola from IDEA, based in Sweden, emphasizes the importance of free media. “When journalists operate freely and adhere to ethical codes, they naturally promote democracy, peace, and stability. They provide citizens with a platform to express themselves equally and access unbiased, factual information. This is essential for democracy, as it prevents the spread of extremist ideologies and fake news, which threaten democratic values.”
According to the global democracy index, freedom of expression has seen significant decline worldwide, and the Western Balkans are no exception. “Civil society and the media in the Balkans play a key role in defending democracy despite challenges like physical attacks, SLAPP lawsuits, or declining press freedom indicators,” says Gola.
Marija Angjelković highlights the invaluable role of investigative journalism in uncovering human trafficking cases. “One recent example in Serbia was the Linglong case, where journalists exposed the exploitation of Vietnamese workers, prompting NGOs to demand justice and hold institutions accountable.”
Fatjona Mejdini, with her rich journalistic background, underscores that media should hold governments accountable. “The media must act as watchdogs and expose injustices while avoiding nationalistic rhetoric. Their responsibility lies in ensuring justice and citizens’ welfare, which are essential for strengthening democracy,” she concludes.
Marija Ružić Stajović adds that media must partner in development, stability, and the rule of law. “It is crucial to ensure media freedom and understand its role in questioning, commenting, criticizing, and accurately conveying information to the public,” she says. “Civil society, governments, and media must collaborate to create a better society.”
