Die Europäische Union und die USA: Gibt es gemeinsame Visionen für die interethnischen Beziehungen in der Region Westlicher Balkan?
The European Union and the USA: Are There Any Common Visions for the Future of Interethnic Relations in the Western Balkans?

Summary/Abstract: Common engagement of the EU and US in Southeast Europe were not based on common visions but were instead a necessary reaction to crisis and wars in the 1990s. As a consequence of actions of ”ethnic cleansing”, EU and US politics alike are adhering to multi-ethnic solutions. It is not the general concept but rather the scale and instruments of engagement and the concrete approaches to single cases that led to frictions between Europe and the US. During the last few years Europe has taken over increasing responsibilities and sometimes a leading role in Balkan policies. This is due to three factors: (1) The problems have changed since all Balkan countries have become democracies. (2) The capacities of the EU concerning an effective foreign policy in the region has increased, with various institutions and instruments like ESDP and SAP having been developed. (3) The American engagement has been significantly reduced as a reaction to increased stability and capability of Europe to cope with the problems within its own continent. According to the author, the effective cooperation of Europe and the US remains of central importance to further stabilize the region. Yet, he is optimistic concerning the future of this cooperation with the US accepting a gradual taking over of leadership in the region by Europe.

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