Written by BV Team
The lack of a clear boundary between the rule of law and organized crime is seen as a generator of crises in the Balkans. To varying degrees across all six Western Balkan states, it is difficult to determine where the law ends and crime begins. The Balkan culture of corruption hinders the decriminalization of the political scene and, in some cases, even favors corrupt politicians with ties to crime. External sanctions or so-called “blacklists” seem to have failed to produce the desired effects because they have not carried enforceable legal power within the respective countries.
Fatjona Mejdini, Europe Director at the Global Initiative, argues that some nationalist rhetoric used to incite hatred is, in fact, a cover for the failures and corrupt dealings of leaders in the region. “We all know that tensions rise when elections are near, whether in Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, or Kosovo. To distract from their inefficiency in governance, which should ensure citizens’ well-being under the rule of law, these leaders shift attention to nationalist themes that immediately stir hatred and draw focus away from the real problems in their countries,” says Mejdini. “If corruption is tackled, and if the rule of law is prioritized, respecting institutions and ensuring democracy functions normally—because democracy fosters business and the overall development of society—then there will be less need for nationalist rhetoric and extremist initiatives, contributing more to peace,” she adds.
Marija Ruzić Stajović from NGO Juventas (Montenegro) believes that the fight against organized crime and corruption is a shared challenge across the Balkans. “These are probably the two main issues, perhaps the biggest ones. Corruption, particularly at the highest levels of power, is devastating and hard to eradicate, though not impossible. Additionally, we need to work on reconciliation and overcoming nationalistic tensions, which have recently resurfaced in Montenegro, even though they were not present in earlier years. We must foster genuine values, such as respecting differences, peaceful coexistence, and learning from one another, as a foundation for broader development,” she says.
Aleksandar Cekov from CRPM (North Macedonia) believes corruption is the greatest challenge for all societies in the region. “We must confront corruption and organized crime, as they pose threats not only to economic progress but also to regional stability,” he explains. Cekov also highlights the importance of addressing radicalization, which is increasingly present in societies, particularly far-right radicalization. “This is a major threat, and we are not immune as a region to external risks from neighboring conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war or the situation in Israel. All of this impacts regional stability, migration flows, and broader societal challenges. Illegal migration must also be addressed appropriately to mitigate risks to peace and stability,” he adds.
Marija Anđelković from ASTRA (Serbia) emphasizes that human trafficking, like other forms of organized crime, poses low risks to perpetrators but generates significant profits. “Human trafficking and organized crime thrive in the Balkans. While our region has excellent legal frameworks, implementation remains weak. Alarmingly, there are fewer and fewer prosecutions for human trafficking cases, and many cases are either not pursued or treated as minor offenses, such as facilitating prostitution,” she says. Anđelković calls for strengthening institutions, such as prosecutors and courts, to ensure justice in these cases. She also highlights the poor state of victim rights in the Balkans, especially in terms of their protection during legal processes.
The Destructive Ethnonationalism of the Balkans
Ethnonationalism remains a divisive and destructive hallmark of the Western Balkans. Malicious foreign influences often exacerbate the already fragile situation. Political extremism, terrorism, and organized crime continue to pose significant threats in the region. In this environment, regional cooperation and integration—key to long-term peace and stability—seem difficult to achieve.
Some politicians exploit political extremism without regard for its impact on regional security. Instead of offering visions of peace and European perspectives, these toxic politicians inject nationalism and ideological extremism for electoral gains, resulting in persistent divisions and conflicts.
“If we want to overcome something, we first need to acknowledge that the threat or problem exists around us or within our environment. This is the first challenge we face as a society or as political leaders—we are often unwilling to recognize these threats as real,” says Dajana Cvjetković from SMART Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina). She believes the public in Bosnia is aware of the problems, but politicians often avoid or pretend not to notice them to escape accountability.
Mejdini notes that politicians in the Balkans have used power to enrich themselves, consolidate their positions, and remain in power indefinitely. This approach, she adds, leaves them no time to address broader issues like regional cooperation and development. “Their perspective has been narrow, focused solely on gaining at any cost, without considering that while they are in power today, they won’t always be. But as neighbors, we are destined to cooperate and coexist,” she says. “As journalists and representatives of civil society, we must move beyond nationalist rhetoric and understand the importance of finding common ground with people across the region who share our worldview,” she concludes.
Marija Ruzić Stajović stresses the need for a stronger and collective fight against these challenges. “Decision-makers and public officials must demonstrate strong integrity and will to address these issues at their root. Only then can we rebuild trust in institutions and achieve meaningful results,” she says.
According to Aleksandar Cekov, political leaders should focus on positive examples and cooperation instead of emphasizing divisive narratives. “We live in societies where some narratives are excessively amplified, particularly extremism, because political actors benefit from this. Our leaders must understand that divisions cannot bring positive outcomes to society or citizens,” he says. Cekov believes voters must hold politicians accountable at the ballot box to prevent divisive narratives from dominating the political landscape.
A Region Where Crime Is the Only Organized Sphere
Organized crime remains a constant threat to peace in the region. In the chaos typical of Balkan countries—with weak institutions and an absence of the rule of law—crime often appears to be the only organized force.
“Human trafficking and other forms of organized crime significantly influence peace and stability in the region, as well as in Europe and globally. When we started working in 2001, we realized the extent of organized crime and began collaborating with NGOs in the region, Europe, and beyond. This cooperation was vital for addressing specific cases and for learning from one another to develop policies across the region,” says Anđelković.
Divisive narratives remain highly attractive not only to politicians but also to a large portion of the public. Deconstructing, preventing, and combating these dangerous narratives is a vital necessity for both regional integration and EU accession. Counter-narratives are often left to the media and civil society as their responsibility.
“The role of the media is crucial,” emphasizes Cekov. “It is essential to highlight good practices and narratives that promote cooperation and tolerance, rather than giving space to politicians who amplify negative narratives. As citizens and the public, we must be aware of the impact of such narratives and overcome them through mutual cooperation, tolerance, and respect,” he concludes.
