From Security Matter to Economic Recovery and Stability

In the Balkans, interethnic peace sustained by international participation has been prone to disappear as security problems are associated with unstable economic conditions of the new emerging states. Moreover, the new collective presidency system with unclear boundaries of power sharing for these countries in transition also contributes to unstable political conditions. The global economic crisis, higher unemployment rates, and budgeting problems are some economic-based issues. In the Balkans, sustaining long-term interethnic security is to be traced to a number of complex factors. The last decade reveals the importance of sustaining interethnic security among conflicting parties by maintaining common economic interest rather than solitary military measures. This chapter illustrates the contributory role of economic recovery in sustaining long-term interethnic peace. It is also aimed to illustrate the link between economic recovery and interethnic security.