The Institute of International Politics and Economics and the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, Belgrade, organised a discussion panel “Regional Security in the Balkans: State and Tendencies”. The introductory speeches were given by Prof. Branislav Đorđević, IIPE Director, and Prof. Saša Mijalković, Prorector for International and Interinstitutional Cooperation at the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies. There were four panelist – two IIPE researchers and two lecturers of the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies. Dr Marina Kostić, an IIPE Research Fellow, mapped the key systematic, regional and internal security challenges for the Balkans. Nevena Šekarić, MA, an IIPE Research Assistant, analysed the security dynamics through the lens of the regional security complex theory, stressing the unresolved status of Republika Srpska and Kosovo as the crucial security issues. Dr Marija Popović Mančević, Lecturer at the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, pointed out the role of the European Union as the main instigator of the cooperation in the Western Balkans, as well as the consensus among the countries about the main security threats. Dr Dragana Čvorović, Lecturer at the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, presented the results of the regional police and criminal matters procedure cooperation in the last couple of years. During the subsequent discussion, participants talked about the role of globalisation and nationalism on regional security, the importance of the renewable energy sources and the issue of control mechanisms for the international treaties signed.
