Putin, Erdogan to destabilise Balkans, Austrian professor says

If the EU is waiting until the creation of sustainable democracies in all Western Balkan countries, Putin and Erdogan will destabilise the region, Karl Aigginger believes.

Professor at the University of Economics in Vienna, in an article published in the Vienna daily “Der Standard”, recalls that the EU decided in 2003 to open up the possibility for the entire Western Balkans to unite, adding that after 15 years there has been little movement.

He noted Turkey's application for membership, which he submitted about six decades ago, and then many people abandoned the courage for the move.

The “Many EU countries condition accession, in addition to meeting ordinary conditions, national referenda, especially in countries where many Turks work and in which citizens are expected to vote against, such as Austria. Erdogan today turns Turkey from a secular country into a non-liberal democracy with the prevailing Islamic faith and the rhetoric of the fight against Kurds, “said Aigginger.

He says Putin sends his people to Belgrade almost every day and promises investments and friendships on television, while right-wing European parties are visiting Serbia, its representatives receive co-ordination and promote riots and criticise the EU, from which they openly or secretly would like to give up.

As for Kosovo, Aiinger says the biggest problem is not knowing independence from five EU countries.