Stabilizing and Integrating the Balkans

The complex challenge of economic recovery and reconstruction in the Balkans is looked at in this book. The Balkan Stability Pact stands for a networked approach of international organizations to deal with these problems. This analysis critically looks into strategies, actors, and preliminary results. There are shortcomings and inconsistencies and there is some potential for transatlantic conflicts over the issue of burden sharing. There is also a risk of EU imperial overstretch facing eastern and south-eastern EU enlargement.

Contenu

1. Introduction.- 2. The End of the Kosovo War.- 2.1 Western European Problems at the Beginning of the 21st Century.- 2.2 Eastern Enlargement of NATO and the Stability Pact.- 3. Initial Situation and Post-Kosovo War Problems.- 3.1 Legacy of the Socialist Past and Basic Data.- 3.2 The Stability Pact and the Stabilization and Association Process.- 3.3 Strategic Economic Issues.- 3.4 Donor Financing.- 3.5 Special Case of Yugoslavia.- 3.6 The Problem of Economic Catching-up.- Appendix : Growth and Convergence in Open Economies.- 4. Stabilization of the Balkans: Stability Pact, Actors and Programs.- 4.1 International Actors: EBRD, World Bank, IMF.- 4.2 The European Union.- 4.3 Criticism of the European Union.- 4.4 Selected National Actors: The United States and Germany.- 5. Trade, Integration and Cooperation.- 5.1 Expanding the Existing Trade Network.- 5.2 Splitting-Up, Shadow Economic Growth, Integration and Globalization.- 5.3 Prospects for Economic Convergence.- 5.4 Transatlantic Cooperation and Policy Options.- 5.5 Forced EU Entry and EU Integration Overstretch.- 5.6 Potential Reforms.- 5.7 Big Business and International Organizations.- 6. Conclusions and Strategic EU Reform Perspectives.- 6.1 Basic Conclusions.- 6.2 Foreign Policy Dominating the Treasury.- 6.3 Improving Cooperation Among Actors in the Stability Pact.- 6.4 Problems in Transatlantic Cooperation.- 6.5 Euro Aspects of Eastern and Southeastern Enlargement.- 6.6 Long-Term Perspectives.- Appendix 1: Trade Structure in the Balkans - The Role of the EU and US.- Appendix 2: German Contribution to the Stability Pact.- Appendix 3: Experiences with Coordination from Bosnia-Herzegovina.- Appendix 4: Yugoslavia (Serbia / Montenegro).- Appendix 5 US Dollar Gross Wage Rates in Selected Transition Countries.- Appendix 6: Theoretical Aspects of the Growth of the Shadow Economy.- Appendix 7: International Financial Loans, Infrastructure Investment and Growth.- Appendix 8: IMF Status of Fund Relations with the Region.- Appendix 9: Progress Report on the Implementation of the Quick Start Package (QSP).- References.- List of Tables.- List of Figures.