“One Belt and Road” in the Balkans and in Serbia

Abstract

China's Belt and Road Initiative refers to establishing connections between China (Asia) and Africa and Europe by numerous roads and railways and to cooperation among countries in different fields, and in its western part it includes all Western Balkans countries. All of these countries cooperate with the PRC, on a bilateral basis and within China-CEEC cooperation process. Some of these Balkan countries are already members of the EU, while the others have been granted EU membership candidate status, but they all are striving to improve their relations with China via different projects. Bearing in mind the EU's intention to closely 'monitor' business activities of Chinese companies in EU member countries and their infrastructure and other projects within Chinese cooperation with Balkan countries, the destiny of this cooperation and ensuing projects will undoubtedly depend on the EU's attitude (and interests) towards China. The EU could exert stronger influence on its member countries compared to EU membership candidate countries. On the other hand, such a relationship presents EU membership candidate countries with numerous opportunities for cooperation with China, particularly Serbia, which is enjoying the highest level of bilateral relations with China characterized by the biggest number of initiated and completed projects (at this moment). Chances that some other great powers could influence the Belt and Road Initiative in the Balkans are very poor or even impossible, either because they do not perceive the PRC as a geopolitical rival in this region (e.g. US), or because they have favourable bilateral relations with China and are actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, e.g. Turkey.

The "Belt and road" initiative from the aspect of the new geostrategy and the impact on the safety factors in road traffic

“…So, only 11 years ago, it was determined that the legislation that regulates risk factors for traffic safety in more than two thirds of countries is incomplete, and that in those countries where legislation exists, it is not implemented properly. The report, which followed five years later, did not show better results in a number of countries, although in the meantime, in 2010 and 2012, the United Nations General Assembly adopted two resolutions 64/255 (5) and 66/260 (6), calling for states to enact comprehensive legislation on key risk factors in road traffic, as well as to improve its implementation (World Health Organization: Strengthening road safety legislation: a practice and resource manual for countries, 2013, p. 1).…”