Serbia’s Threat to Balkan Security Requires Coordinated Response

What remains unclear is what can be done about it. 

Joint declaration denouncing Serbia's irredentist aims

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (C), Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (L) and North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev (R) shake hands after the press conference. Photo: EPA-EFE/ANDREJ CUKIC.

The events of the past week make clear that there is no more time for dithering. A clear, unified response must be undertaken to preserve the peace and security of the Western Balkans in the face of renewed aggression by the authorities in Belgrade. And that response must be both regional and international. 

Here are some concrete, actionable ideas to that end. 

The governments of Albania and North Macedonia should immediately withdraw from the "Open Balkan" initiative, specifically citing Belgrade's recent provocations as sufficient proof of ill intent on Serbia's part, and evidence of the inability of that government to commit itself to the peaceful resolution of regional issues or the promotion of regional commerce and integration. 

That should coincide with the initiation of a multilateral summit between relevant political representatives from Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, and North Macedonia. Efforts should be made to ensure that a delegation from Bosnia is included as well, notwithstanding Sarajevo's non-recognition of Kosovo owing to the refusal of authorities in the Republika Srpska entity to allow as much. 

The summit should produce a joint declaration that will clearly identify Vucic's Serbia as the primary architect of virtually all the major inter-state disputes in the region. 

The signatories should also commit to jointly rebuffing any further Serbian meddling in the affairs of the...