By the end of the 20th Century, the changing
concept of the Balkans and their territorial issues
came into focus again. In the course of defining a
community or territory, unique, differentiating,
common features and accepted geographical borders
are ascertained. Regarding the hereby examined
Balkans, there are neither an academic consensus,
nor an accordance among the neighbouring countries
in terms of bordering, definition, and integrated
regional community. Today’s scientists and politicians
regard the Balkans as an originally problematic
space which endangers the safety and stability of the
entire European community. The term ‘the Balkans’
refers to a fragmented, multi-ethnic, multicultural
region but used as a pejorative remark. It is also
referred to as an example to be avoided in other
parts of Europe. The term ‘Balkan’ is a grievous historical
heritage burdened with ethnic conflicts and
political failure. This negative image is also affirmed
by the intricate conversion processes (political-economic)
of the post-communist era.
The concept of the Balkans is mostly identi -
fied as South-Eastern Europe or it is even narrowed
down. According to a wider representation, the former
Yugoslavian states are considered as parts of
the Balkans such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia,
Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia and in
some cases Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and the
European territories of Turkey. The product of
modern times is a new territorial category namely
‘the West-Balkans’. Formerly it used to represent
the Balkans as state poverty, violence, and backwardness,
and this concept has inherited the above
mentioned features