The European regional order in the Western Balkans facing the
disrupting role of middle and great emerging powers
LIRIDON LIKA
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS STUDIES (CEFIR)
LIÈGE UNIVERSITY (ULIÈGE), BELGIUM
Abstract
This EUCROSS Working paper analyses the European regional order in the Western Balkans which is more and more challenged by the projection of the emerging powers in this region. In other words, it aims to analyses the new international balance of power in the context of the diffusion of global power in a changing world order. The paper is divided into three parts. The first part explains particularly the context of the penetration of emerging powers into a European space as is the region of the Western Balkans. The second focus on their objectives and strategies to challenge the European regional order. Finally, the third studies the European response in order to remain the most visible player in the Western Balkans.Keywords
Western Balkans, European Union, Emerging powers.About the author
Liridon Lika is lecturer and researcher/PhD Candidate at the Center for International Relations Studies (CEFIR) of the Department of Political Science of the University of Liège (ULiège) in Belgium. He obtained a master’s degree in Political Science: International Relations at ULiège, and an advanced master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Analysis of European integration at the Institute for European Studies (ISE) of the Free University of Brussels (ULB). His research focuses on Western Balkan states (in particular Kosovo and Albania), EU external action, and the foreign policy of the emerging powers towards the Western Balkans. E-mail: Liridon.Lika@uliege.be