Abstract ▼

The aim of this article is to analyse all elements of sustainable development, especially in the context of the new enlargement policy for the Balkan countries. Basically, the analysis is based on the concept from Agenda 2030. The second concept consists of two methodologies for EU accession, where the criteria are grouped through chapters (old methodology) and clusters (new methodology). The research question in this paper is whether the new EU accession methodology is a guarantee for achieving better values of indicators of sustainable development or not. Multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA), more precisely the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP method), is used to prioritize sustainable development criteria based on the sustainable development indicators through two different concepts. The results of the analysis showed that the achievement of the SDGs according to the Agenda 2030 was established methodologically by country, while respecting the specificities of countries and their policies. Also, the results showed that the acceptance of the new methodology, that is, organizing the chapters into clusters and accordingly regrouping the indicators, showed better results. The conclusions from this article can be applied in making decisions about choosing the best approach to sustainable development for individual countries.

Abstract ▼

This article examines Serbia’s approach to European integration and relations with Russia and its implications for its internal and foreign policy. Serbia’s policy is characterized as a “small state” foreign policy designed to maintain good relations with the EU and Russia, believing that this will help it overcome internal and international challenges. in light of the tense relations between the West and Russia, the article examines how this policy has developed over the last two decades and whether it is sustainable in changed international circumstances. it focuses on the fact that Serbia’s approach toward the EU and Russia has shown continuity despite the growing polarization at the international level caused by the crisis in Ukraine in 2014. However, due to the rapid and dramatic deterioration of EU-Russia relations caused by Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Serbia’s current policy has become very difficult to maintain. Serbia’s pragmatic policy, shaped by internal and foreign political interests and guided by a series of economic, legal, and security arguments, was put to the test. These arguments have emerged as new key trends in Serbia and can be traced through the state’s response to the war in Ukraine and the EU and Russia’s responses to the country’s policy. Serbia found itself under pressure from both sides to choose one side over the other, which causes tension and uncertainty and put the country in a difficult position. This article shows that despite the pressure and expectations of both sides, there was no drastic change in Serbia’s policy towards the EU or Russia. However, the fact is that there is less space for the fulfillment of the country’s foreign policy priorities, which now seem mutually incompatible. Therefore, in a broader sense, this article calls into question the sustainability of Serbia’s current foreign policy as a framework for preserving the strategic and national interests of the country.

Abstract ▼

Versatile political and institutional cooperation between Serbia and China recently spurred the dynamic development of economic relations between the two countries. Those progressed quickly, especially due to Serbia’s participation in the format China-Central and Eastern European countries and the Belt and Road initiative. it caused changes in economic relations between China and Serbia in three directions: changes in trade patterns, the volume of loans, and the inflow of Chinese investments. This article focuses on the Chinese Belt and Road investments (foreign direct investments, acquisitions, and joint ventures) in Serbia while using qualitative along with descriptive statistical analysis. The authors analysed the type of companies, value of investments, and industries in which Chinese companies invested capital in the period 2014-2022. Research findings indicate an increase in bilateral trade, especially in export, after the Chinese investments have been made. The value of Chinese investment has grown over time, with a relatively high concentration in the automotive industry and a presence in rather few industries. The first investments were realized by state-owned enterprises and, in recent times, by private-owned companies. The authors indicate that while China’s role in Serbian economic development is increasing, it should not be categorized either as a saviour or a threat, but as a rather important economic partner of Serbia whose influence in Serbia is increasing. However, the interplay between China and Serbia, determined by the interests of both sides as well as the capabilities of Serbia to design appropriate institutional and policy frameworks will determine the contribution of Chinese investments to Serbian economic development in the future.

Abstract ▼

The rise of a land power that is trying to develop its maritime forces has been viewed as an important conflict instigator among great powers. Great Britain shared similar concerns with the rise of Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. Power relations among states in East Asia, during last two decades, share many similarities with those of pre-World War i Europe. This historical analogy provides abundant information regarding the behavior of land and maritime states. On the other hand, the analogy is often used without reference to other great powers in the system and how these states influenced the overall balance of power. in other words, we get the notion that the conflict between land and maritime power is inevitable regardless of other actors and their position in the system. in our work we shall focus our attention on the two processes that are balance of power and balance of threat; and try to understand how these mechanisms affected the politics of key actors in Europe before the Great War and how they affect the politics of contemporary states in East Asia. Since we are discussing the balance of power concept the article follows ideas set forth by authors of realism. Comparing different approaches of great powers to balancing in the years before the Great War and what balancing looks like in contemporary East Asia we shall try to point out to some strategic misconceptions regarding this historical analogy.