The political and security situation in the Western Balkan region (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro (including Kosovo), Macedonia and Albania) is unsettled and unpredictable, and political, economic and social indicators suggest that the Western Balkans will continue to be an important area of Euro-Atlantic foreign policy co-operation. The countries of the Western Balkans are undergoing major economic and political restructuring and reform processes. And, as the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic has clearly demonstrated, the forces of democratic reform in the individual countries are not very firmly consolidated. Although the potential for conflict is declining in the region as a whole, it is still a force to be reckoned with in certain countries, and a number of countries have rising social unrest and crime rates as a result of, among other things, the processes of political and economic change. This presents a challenge to the rest of Europe, which cannot ignore the consequences of weak government structures and social deterioration. The efforts of the international community, not least of the EU and Norway, to bring stability to the Western Balkans are thus partly inspired by self-interest. Norway is seeking to promote stability, democracy-building and the integration of the individual countries and the region as a whole into Euro-Atlantic co-operation.
Norway allocated NOK 745 million (approx. EUR 93,1 million) to measures in the Western Balkans in 2002, and will maintain the same level of support in 2003. Norwegian assistance primarily targets peace processes and the critical reform and development processes taking place in the region, and focuses increasingly on democracy-building measures, long-term capacity- and institution-building, and private sector development. Norway’s humanitarian efforts are chiefly aimed at refugees, internally displaced persons and vulnerable groups (children, the elderly and the infirm), and are directed towards the areas of greatest need at any given time. Every effort will be made to ensure that measures are designed for sustainable return.
A substantial amount of assistance is devoted to reform of the police and justice and home affairs sector in the countries of the Western Balkans. These projects include police training, advice, and assistance with reform processes. Priority is given to the fight against international organised crime, with a special focus on corruption and trafficking in women and children. Co-operation has been established in the educational sector both bilaterally with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and with Serbia and Montenegro, and at the regional level through the Norwegian Council for Higher Education and the Research Council of Norway. Support is given to transfers of expertise in the agricultural and forestry and the environmental protection sectors. Special attention is given to measures that reinforce the peace processes in the region, including the Dayton process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ohrid process in Macedonia and the Covic process in southern Serbia, and to efforts to promote inter-ethnic dialogue and reconciliation processes. Measures targeting children, young people and women are also given priority.
Norwegian project assistance to the Western Balkans is channelled mainly through Norwegian NGOs, Norwegian government institutions, the UN system and other multilateral actors. The Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe is also an important channel and framework for project assistance.
By the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs