EU, Russia and Turkey Struggle for Balkan Influence

[Loki]

https://global.handelsblatt.com/poli...brain-retfeb17

Turkey and Russia are rapidly developing their influence in southeast Europe. Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz calls on the EU to bring the Balkans into its orbit.



The next European crisis, like so many before, could begin in the Balkans. The EU and NATO are attempting to draw countries like Serbia and Montenegro more closely into their orbit, but they face competition for influence from the United States, Russia, Turkey and even Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to Handelsblatt, Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz warned of the growing influence of Turkey and Saudi Arabia. “In Sarajevo and Pristina, for example, women are paid to wear the full veil in public,” he claimed, adding: “We cannot look on and do nothing.”

Mr. Kurz demanded an acceleration of the integration of the region with the EU, to keep Turkey and Russia at bay. He said other pressing issues, like Brexit or migration, should not distract the EU from the Western Balkans. Tensions were still high within and between states in the region, he said: “We must continue to play an active role in this crucial region, offering a credible EU perspective.”



Since 2014, Germany has taken a lead in promoting EU relations with Balkan states, encouraging reform and cooperation in what is known as the “Berlin Process.” But little concrete progress has been made, leading German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel this summer to call for a “Berlin Process plus” agenda, with more specific goals in aid and integration.

In the past, the Balkans was often a field in which outside powers competed for influence: for centuries Habsburgs faced off against Ottomans, followed by the West versus the Soviet Union. Today, Turkey and Russia are the EU’s major rivals for influence.

For Turkey, the Balkans present both an emotional and a rational attraction. Centuries of Turkish rule left behind Muslim minorities and a cultural and architectural legacy. Many historic monuments are now being restored by Turkish government agencies.

But Turkey is also pursuing a hard-headed economic agenda. Recent months have seen substantial Turkish mining investments in Kosovo and airline cooperation with Albania, as well as a new free trade agreement with Bosnia, signed in May. In public statements on the Balkans, Turkey has emphasized its role as a stabilizing factor in the region. This is also how the EU views its own position.

Russia is another heavyweight player on the Balkan stage. Moscow has particularly close relations with its traditional ally Serbia, not least thanks to their shared Slav culture and Orthodox religion. Surveys show that most Serbs are pro-Russian, and feel unfavorably toward NATO, which heavily bombed the country in 1998. On a recent visit, Dmitry Rogozin, Russia’s deputy prime minister, insisted that “Serbia will never become a member of the EU.”

Russia also stands accused of intriguing in other Balkan states: 21 alleged pro-Russian coup conspirators are due to stand trial in Montenegro later this year – an association Russia dismisses as “absurd.” Neighboring Macedonia wants to accelerate its accession to NATO, in view of what defense minister Radmila Sekerinska has called “Russian attempts to gain influence in our politics and security.” Moscow has dismissed these accusation as Russophobia.

Possible tensions resulting from Turkish and Russian policy in the Balkans can be seen in Bulgaria. Here Ankara is supporting a new party, Dost, representing the country’s Turkish ethnic minority, since it regards the existing party as too close to Russia. The Dost leader, Lütfi Mestan, has regularly met with leading members of Turkey’s ruling AKP party, as well as with Turkish President Erdogan himself.

As if this were not enough, China also sees a role for itself in the region, primarily through its massive “Belt and Road” infrastructure project, which aims to improve communications across the Eurasian landmass. Under the scheme, Beijing plans to invest some €10 billion, around $11.8 billion, in 16 countries in south-eastern and eastern Europe.

[Egyptian]

https://global.handelsblatt.com/poli...brain-retfeb17



Speaking to Handelsblatt, Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz warned of the growing influence of Turkey and Saudi Arabia. “In Sarajevo and Pristina, for example, women are paid to wear the full veil in public,” he claimed, adding: “We cannot look on and do nothing.”

Mr. Kurz demanded an acceleration of the integration of the region with the EU, to keep Turkey and Russia at bay. He said other pressing issues, like Brexit or migration, should not distract the EU from the Western Balkans. Tensions were still high within and between states in the region, he said: “We must continue to play an active role in this crucial region, offering a credible EU perspective.”

That's interfering in the internal affairs of the state of Bosnia.

Bosnian government themselves agreed about playing a better role with countries like Turkey and Saudia, so why would an austrian minister be so angry?

BTW, I don't think these 2 countries play a bad role in Bosnia, maybe Some saudis are giving a bad image there (as I work in the tourism field there are many flights to Bosnia nowadays from MENA especially Saudia and a lot of them buying lands there) but come on, what europeans expect? Bosnia is not that wealthy to refuse a lot of money coming from saudis side.

[Lavrentis]

All the Balkans are going to choose the EU. Even the Serbs, who are the number 1 ally of Russia, are now doing everything they can to enter the EU.

[Vlatko Vukovic]

All the Balkans are going to choose the EU. Even the Serbs, who are the number 1 ally of Russia, are now doing everything they can to enter the EU.

Russia wants that Bosnia and Serbia choose their side, not EU. But our politicians and politicians from Serbia choose EU.

[adsız]

"women are paid to wear the full veil in public,”"

This is hard to believe.

[Gizem]

AKP is wasting our money for this shit. Bu no worries they can't do anything, they couldn't even buy half of the society here.

Our influence in the Balkans is already getting better thanks to Turkish TV series that break prejudices towards us. But no need for neo-ottoman agenda pursued by the AKP that does not even represent half of our society.

Saudis are also buying lands here, Istanbul is full of Arabian tourists in burqa. Wish there was a force that could shut the doors to them. I don't want their money.

[The Destroyer]

https://global.handelsblatt.com/poli...brain-retfeb17

Turkey and Russia are rapidly developing their influence in southeast Europe. Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz calls on the EU to bring the Balkans into its orbit.



The next European crisis, like so many before, could begin in the Balkans. The EU and NATO are attempting to draw countries like Serbia and Montenegro more closely into their orbit, but they face competition for influence from the United States, Russia, Turkey and even Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to Handelsblatt, Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz warned of the growing influence of Turkey and Saudi Arabia. “In Sarajevo and Pristina, for example, women are paid to wear the full veil in public,” he claimed, adding: “We cannot look on and do nothing.”

Mr. Kurz demanded an acceleration of the integration of the region with the EU, to keep Turkey and Russia at bay. He said other pressing issues, like Brexit or migration, should not distract the EU from the Western Balkans. Tensions were still high within and between states in the region, he said: “We must continue to play an active role in this crucial region, offering a credible EU perspective.”



Since 2014, Germany has taken a lead in promoting EU relations with Balkan states, encouraging reform and cooperation in what is known as the “Berlin Process.” But little concrete progress has been made, leading German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel this summer to call for a “Berlin Process plus” agenda, with more specific goals in aid and integration.

In the past, the Balkans was often a field in which outside powers competed for influence: for centuries Habsburgs faced off against Ottomans, followed by the West versus the Soviet Union. Today, Turkey and Russia are the EU’s major rivals for influence.

For Turkey, the Balkans present both an emotional and a rational attraction. Centuries of Turkish rule left behind Muslim minorities and a cultural and architectural legacy. Many historic monuments are now being restored by Turkish government agencies.

But Turkey is also pursuing a hard-headed economic agenda. Recent months have seen substantial Turkish mining investments in Kosovo and airline cooperation with Albania, as well as a new free trade agreement with Bosnia, signed in May. In public statements on the Balkans, Turkey has emphasized its role as a stabilizing factor in the region. This is also how the EU views its own position.

Russia is another heavyweight player on the Balkan stage. Moscow has particularly close relations with its traditional ally Serbia, not least thanks to their shared Slav culture and Orthodox religion. Surveys show that most Serbs are pro-Russian, and feel unfavorably toward NATO, which heavily bombed the country in 1998. On a recent visit, Dmitry Rogozin, Russia’s deputy prime minister, insisted that “Serbia will never become a member of the EU.”

Russia also stands accused of intriguing in other Balkan states: 21 alleged pro-Russian coup conspirators are due to stand trial in Montenegro later this year – an association Russia dismisses as “absurd.” Neighboring Macedonia wants to accelerate its accession to NATO, in view of what defense minister Radmila Sekerinska has called “Russian attempts to gain influence in our politics and security.” Moscow has dismissed these accusation as Russophobia.

Possible tensions resulting from Turkish and Russian policy in the Balkans can be seen in Bulgaria. Here Ankara is supporting a new party, Dost, representing the country’s Turkish ethnic minority, since it regards the existing party as too close to Russia. The Dost leader, Lütfi Mestan, has regularly met with leading members of Turkey’s ruling AKP party, as well as with Turkish President Erdogan himself.

As if this were not enough, China also sees a role for itself in the region, primarily through its massive “Belt and Road” infrastructure project, which aims to improve communications across the Eurasian landmass. Under the scheme, Beijing plans to invest some €10 billion, around $11.8 billion, in 16 countries in south-eastern and eastern Europe.

Utter shit article. As someone who lives in Bosnia, I can definitely say that this thing about someone paying Bosniaks to grow beards and cover up is more of a conspiracy theory than David Icke's story about Obama and the English queen being shapeshifting reptilians.

Secondly, even if it was true (which it isn't), meddling in someone else's affairs is pure colonialism. The Bosnian Islamic Community has already issued a rebuttal telling the Austrian Minister to keep his hands to himself and take care of Austrian Muslims.

Thirdly, this shitbag says "Muslim minorities" while Bosniaks and Albanians are the majority in 3 countries (Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo). The level of ignorance in this article is Trump-level.

[EuropeanVlachSon]

The russian propaganda and anti EU propaganda in ROmania growth, but we are still one of the biggest supporters of the union, so they should try harder.

[Loki]

Russia wants that Bosnia and Serbia choose their side, not EU. But our politicians and politicians from Serbia choose EU.

I don't think Russia thinks Bosnia would choose them. Only Serbia would.

[Loki]

"women are paid to wear the full veil in public,”"

This is hard to believe.

Worrying if true...