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Social and Environmental Issues Related to Security in SEE Countries

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Book cover Environmental Security in South-Eastern Europe

Abstract

In this paper different and very complex methodological problems concerning understanding of the relation between social and environmental issues on the one side and security risks on the other are emphasized. Several important general social issues characteristic for countries of SEE (geographic position, level of economic development and cooperation, historical heritage, state of awareness of the public concerning specific social questions, relation with the EU) as basic factors which influence understanding of general frameworks of security in this region have been underlined. A special attention is paid to the state of the environment and its relevance for security in SEE. Within this context, an assessment is provided and critical elements in the fields of nature protection, biodiversity, waste management, water management, agriculture, energy, transport, harmonization of national regulations with those of the EU are pinpointed. The central thesis is that the specific combinations of social, economic and environmental characteristics of countries of the region are causing (or can cause) serious instability and threaten security. The low level of mutual cooperation between the countries of the region is another particularly unfavourable circumstance influencing security of the region.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    South-eastern Europe: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro; Other SEE countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey. (European Environment Agency (2007), p. 21.) See also, UNDP 2007b, p. 7. For purposes of this paper most often is taken into account or analyzed the state of the group of SEE countries belonging to Western Balkans, except in cases when explicitly is mentioned something else. For some dilemmas concerning the origin of the word “Balkans” and controversies concerning the notion and its use (for example “balkanization”), see Gleni 2001, pp. 11–14; Cvijić 1922, pp. 1–8.

  2. 2.

    “Human security” refers to a life in peace, without tension and conflict – political, social or economic – between people and nations. It encompasses freedom from a range of risks: disasters, hunger, ­diseases, civil strife or war, terrorism, eviction, persecution or discrimination, financial deprivation and poverty, and more (ECE 2007d, p. 3.). See also: O’Brien and Leichenko 2007, p. 3–7.

  3. 3.

    Hence the definition of the term of environmental crime seems very broadly (“any breach of a national or international environmental law or treaty that exists to ensure the conservation and sustainability of the world’s environment, biodiversity, or natural resources.”) http://www.interpol.int/Public/ICPO/FactSheets/PST03.pdf

  4. 4.

    Neighbors to the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization; a bridge to the Middle East and Central Asia, etc.

  5. 5.

    Across the region, historic animosities (and national politicians) were said to be the major obstacles that kept the countries of the region from growing closer together (Gallup Balkan Monitor Insights and Perceptions: Voices of the Bal-kans – 2009 Summary of Findings, p. 9).

  6. 6.

    Quite concrete connections between these questions and security in SEE countries should be deter­mined case by case, what is beyond the scope of this paper, in which we are considering principal issues.

  7. 7.

    Because of its location at the boundaries between past empires and cultures the major religions in region are Catholic, Orthodox and Islam.

  8. 8.

    Four different Europe’s bio-geographical areas: Central European, Mediterranean, Pannonic and Alpine.

  9. 9.

    Therefore, needs for continued monitoring and involvement of the international community at several levels – political, economic and military ones – are suggested (Bilandžić 2001, p. 57).

  10. 10.

    Notwithstanding, it seems that this fact has not been highlighted in relevant Environmental performance reviews. See Economic Commission for Europe 2002a, pp. 33–44; Economic Commission for Europe 2004, pp. 55–68; EC 1999, pp. 37–59; Economic Commission for Europe 2002b, pp. 45–54; Economic Commission for Europe 2007, pp. 45–58.

  11. 11.

    Moreover, there is a “generally negative attitude towards private sector service providers linked to a perception that they make profit out of environmental problems. Perceptions of corruption are also a deterrent to contracting private companies” (UNDP 2007b, p. 78).

  12. 12.

    According to the Corruption Perceptions Index 2008 Croatia is 62nd on the list, Romania is 71st, Bulgaria is 72nd, Macedonia is 74th, Albania is 85th, Montenegro is 88th’ Serbia is 91st, Bosnia and Herzegovina 93rd. pp. 397–402. On this see also: Corporate Author Transparency International 2009, pp. 409–412.)

  13. 13.

    Notwithstanding this, it is believed that the main competitive advantages of the countries in the region are natural resources (forests, high biodiversity, minerals, coal, water, etc.) apart from their human resources (a relatively high level of education) (UNDP 2007b, p. 19).

  14. 14.

    The Agreement entered into force on 26 July 2007 for five Parties – Albania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and UNMIK/Kosovo, while for Croatia it entered into force on 22 August, for Serbia on 24 October and for Bosnia and Herzegovina on 22 November 2007. http://www.cefta2006.com/en-index.php

  15. 15.

    At the same time all SEE countries are member of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

  16. 16.

    Serbia has started to implement provisions of the Interim Agreement. Implementation by the EU countries has been conditioned by the cooperation with International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). (SEC (2009g, pp. 4–5)).

  17. 17.

    In February 2009, the European Parliament adopted a resolution underlining its willingness to assist the economic and political development of Kosovo by offering clear prospects for EU membership (SEC 2009d, p. 5).

  18. 18.

    See the Resolution of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, paragraph 6 (26 December 2007); http://www.parlament.gov.rs/content/cir/akta/aktadetalji.asp?Id = 360&t = O# Accessed 20 October 2009.

  19. 19.

    “The main environmental health hazards in the region are linked to: air pollution (both outdoor pollution from major industries, mining and transport, as well as indoor pollution from e.g. smoking, heating); incidence of unsafe drinking water in certain areas/time periods; improper management of waste and wastewater; and insufficient occupational (in particular in major industries) and transport safety.” (UNDP 2007b, p. 155). See extensively: Economic Commission for Europe 2002a, pp. 145–160; Economic Commission for Europe 2004, pp. 149–162; EC 1999, pp. 169–176; Economic Commission for Europe 2002b, pp. 165–184; Economic Commission for Europe 2003, pp. 203–216).

  20. 20.

    See also: Economic Commission for Europe 2002a, pp. 99–112; Economic Commission for Europe 2004, pp. 99–112; Economic Commission for Europe 2002b, pp. 109–120; Economic Commission for Europe 2003, pp. 117–132.

  21. 21.

    For more details on state in Serbia, see Todić and Vukasović 2009.

  22. 22.

    http://unfccc.int/files/essential_background/convention/status_of_ratification/application/pdf/unfccc_ratification_20091016.pdf http://unfccc.int/files/kyoto_ protocol/status_of_ratification/application/pdf/kp_ratification_20090826corr.pdf; Although with undefined final status, Kosovo, UN administered territory under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 – through UNMIK, is an equal signatory of the “Energy Community Treaty for the SEE Countries,” and is obliged to begin the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol.

  23. 23.

    The three sectors focused on here are not the only ones that need to be considered. Tourism, transport, households are also important sectors with respect to environmental impacts.

  24. 24.

    Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo pursuant to the UNSCR 1244/99. See: http://www.energy-commnity.org/portal/page/portal/ENC_HOME/ENERGY_COMMUNITY/Legal/Treaty

  25. 25.

    Due to that, one should take into account when construing this treaty, its provisions as a whole, including the provisions related to the EU acquis on environmental law.

  26. 26.

    For more details see Economic Commission for Europe 2002a, pp. 121–132; Economic Commission for Europe 2004, pp. 121–134; Economic Commission for Europe 2002b, pp. 95–108; Economic Commission for Europe 2003, pp. 165–176.

  27. 27.

    See more extensively see Economic Commission for Europe 2002a, pp. 33–44; Economic Commission for Europe 2004, pp. 55–68; Economic Commission for Europe 2002b, pp. 45–54; 39–52; 36. Economic Commission for Europe 2007, pp. 45–58.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of International Economy, Megatrend University, Belgrade, Serbia

    Dragoljub Todić

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  1. Centro di Ricerca di Diritto Pubblico, Europeo e Comparato (DIPEC), Università di Siena, Piazza San Francesco 7, Siena, 53100, Italy

    Massimiliano Montini

  2. Business Academy, Ilije Ognjanovica 4, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia

    Slavko Bogdanovic

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Todić, D. (2011). Social and Environmental Issues Related to Security in SEE Countries. In: Montini, M., Bogdanovic, S. (eds) Environmental Security in South-Eastern Europe. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0228-8_4

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