Serbian Efforts to Improve Environmental and Overall Security in Black Sea Regional Cooperation

Abstract

In recent international relationships, the Black Sea region is recognized as extremely important, especially in the European Union agenda. Energy and overall security, as well as performed activities in creating a favourable political climate for cooperation in the region represent an important aspect of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). At the beginning of the crucial changes in international relations, the Republic of Serbia recognized the importance of the Black Sea region. Many data available from a recent research project gave the author a motive for this article. Applying the appropriate methodology in social science, the article highlights some of Serbian past activities, which lead to significant success in the area of environmental protection of the Black Sea region, mainly through permanent cooperation within the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube river (ICPDR) and other projects financed through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance program (IPA). In the present situation, Serbia is making additional efforts to find a solution for issues raised in the past, although it is suffering from unfavourable macroeconomic conditions and consequences of delayed decision on its candidacy to the EU. Serbian intention to develop cooperation with its neighbouring countries and the countries of the broader region is unquestionable. The visible role of the Republic of Serbia has been shown within the BSEC and was a priority as a current a Chairmanship -in-Office of the Black Sea Economic cooperation (1 January - 30 June 2012). Other parts of the article consist of several best examples of Serbian contribution in the area of developing renewable energy sources, energy efficient technologies in terms of environment protection, decreasing and controlling of industrial and agricultural pollution of the Danube, as well as its new role in the regional security. The recently established Serbian Russian Humanitarian Centre in the town of Nis should have the significant role in the future intensification and extension of cooperation in the transportation/transiting of energy resources across the BSEC region and other countries. Conclusion remarks of the article present a clear recommendation on how to avoid some obstacles on the path of sustainable governance, and strengthening institutional, organizational and other capacities of Serbia for the purpose of improvement of its future role in BCES. © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013.