Accordingly, there is an obvious need for a more accurate geopolitical concept covering former Soviet satellite-states, subsequently lumped together into “New” Europe. The latter has proved to be an inadequate reflection of realities on the ground.
Taking commonalities and shared political agendas into account, one such grouping could be called the Danubian democracies.
https://florianpantazi.substack.com/p/the-danubian-democracies
Florian Pantazi is an historian, IR and geopolitical professional who lives in Sydney Australia. His blog "Spotlight on Geopolitics" was formerly hosted by EurActiv Brussels, from 2009. Florian's posts deal with the major geopolitical shifts and conflicts confronting the international community of states, the European Union's role as a global actor, the emergence of China as a superpower and the resurgence of Russia. He holds a Master II in Geopolitics and International Relations from Sciences Po Toulouse and an MA in History and Philosophy from the Al.I.Cuza University, Iasi, Romania. Substack.com/@florianpantazi X: @Geopolinsider ; Email: florian.pantazi @ gmail.com
February 18, 2012
It is a well-known geopolitical fact that from 1914 to this day, Serbia has received military support or security guarantees from Russia. The latest such support was in evidence during NATO’s intervention in Kosovo, when Russian troops were present in the province in order to make sure Serbian interests were being respected by the Western coalition.
Serbia’s deputy premier and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic has recently declared that if his country is not going to be recognised as an EU candidate-state in March, Serbia might be pushed into a closer alliance with Russia than it has been the case until now. That might involve the option of allowing the Russians to establish military bases in Serbia, a fact that could adversely affect the fragile geopolitical balance in the Western Balkans.
According to Professor Predrag Simic from Belgrade, Serbia has always been forced to perform a balancing act between the Western powers and Russia in order to preserve or promote its own national interest and geopolitical agenda. Whilst the possibility of having Russian military bases in Serbia does seem rather remote for now, EU officials should, however, be mindful of the fact that thwarting Serbia’s EU membership aspirations could ultimately lead to such an outcome.
To his credit, Dacic is a supporter of closer ties with both the US and Russia. He points out that Germany, too, enjoys a good working relationship with both powers, and that provided the US gave more consideration to Serbian interests in Kosovo, he sees no problem for Serbia in adopting a similar foreign policy approach. During his tenure as Interior Minister, Dacic has lifted visa requirements with Macedonia and Albania and has signed a number of cooperation agreements on police matters with most countries from the Western Balkans and beyond, based on his conviction that cooperation is the key to fighting organised crime. (sources: Deutsche Welle, www.setimes.com, www.tanjug.rs )
Florian Pantazi is an historian, IR and geopolitical professional who lives in Sydney Australia. His blog "Spotlight on Geopolitics" was formerly hosted by EurActiv Brussels, from 2009. Florian's posts deal with the major geopolitical shifts and conflicts confronting the international community of states, the European Union's role as a global actor, the emergence of China as a superpower and the resurgence of Russia. He holds a Master II in Geopolitics and International Relations from Sciences Po Toulouse and an MA in History and Philosophy from the Al.I.Cuza University, Iasi, Romania. Substack.com/@florianpantazi X: @Geopolinsider ; Email: florian.pantazi @ gmail.com
