17th International Summer School Šipan

“The role of NATO in the process of stabilization of Western Balkan countries”

International Summer School, 17th this year, supported by NATO Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) and our partners International Institute for Peace Vienna, with the title: The role of NATO in the process of stabilization of Western Balkan countries lasted in the period from 24 – 29 June 2018 in Šipan. It was opened by President of the Atlantic Council of Croatia Prof. Radovan Vukadinovic PhD and Vice-president Monika Begovic PhD. The work was intensive, with presentations and lectures of distinguished guests speakers, professors and experts from around the world.
In the first day we had a speaker from Russia: Professor Mark Entin PhD from Moscow State Institute of International Relations, who held a presentation on the influence of relations between Russia and the West to the security and stability in the South-Eastern Europe. Prof. Entin claimed that Russia’s interests are in achieving security and stability in the Western Balkan.
Views on Bosnia and Herzegovina on its road towards NATO and EU were shared to the audience-participants by prof. Miloš Šolaja PhD from the Faculty of Political Science in Banja Luka. Prof. Šolaja stressed how peace is an important issue for still unstable BH, that is struggling with internal instabilities and unsolved issues.
NATO Open Door policy and further enlargement – Case study Macedonia was the topic presented by our experts from Macedonia – prof. Ylber Sela PhD from University of Tetovo, and Ljubica Pendaroska from Marshall Center Macedonia. The discussion was very vivid, as the topics covered were related to the latest solutions of name disputes, relations of Macedonia with East and Russia, issues of identity and its future.
This last lecture of the first day of the School was in a way preparation for simulation with students that is related to the role of NATO with Case study: Macedonia.

The second day of the International Summer School in Šipan was opened with the very interesting presentation by our distinguished speaker Hannes Swoboda, President of the International Institute for Peace from Vienna. Swoboda talked about the European Union and its policy towards Western Balkan. ‘There should be a way to develop a more multicultural and multireligious Union’, was just one of the thoughts Mr. Swoboda presented during his lecture.
Professor at the Auburn University, United States, James Seroka PhD, spoke about the United States of America and NATO – role in the South Eastern Europe. Prof. Seroka stated several thoughts of how Trump’s policy will affect the future of NATO and its role in securing peace and stability in Europe. Seroka stated that it is important for the US to remember the NATO’s role in ensuring security of the western world, especially when discussing the issues related to the budget.
Giving a historical overview to show how relations in the South Eastern Europe (SEE) have developed in the last century, with the accent on the past 30 years, professor Stefano Pilotto PhD from the University of Trieste showed the importance of NATO enlargement to the SEE. Pilotto made an observation that there could be several obstacles that Western Balkan countries could meet on their way towards Euro-Atlantic integration, especially in their common relations.
Topic very relevant for the contemporary international relations: Western Balkans between Russia and the West – strategic dilemmas, was opened by our two speakers: prof. Ekaterina Entina from the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs in Moscow and Alexander Pivovarenko from the Institute of Slavic Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences. Interesting debate followed afterwards, with students’ questions mostly related to the role of Russia in South Eastern European countries while they are approaching NATO and EU.
With panel discussion on two topics: ‘Serbia and policy of neutrality’ and: ‘Serbia and NATO – from hostility to close cooperation’ was opened our third day of the International Summer School in Šipan. Very interesting presentations were held by distinguished speakers prof. Vanja Rokvic and Dusan Janjic from Belgrade. It was mentioned that Serbia has a very good cooperation with NATO, as opposed to what media present in the public. The discussion was also directed towards a draft Serbian Defence Strategy from this year, and is expected to define military neutrality of Serbia.
In his presentation: ‘Kosovo and its relations with the neighbouring countries’ our distinguished speaker prof. Besfort Rrecaj from Pristina Faculty of Law showed that entering NATO is the biggest and most important strategic political goal of Kosovo. Rrecaj made it clear that Kosovo is on the road towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
Having an accent on Macedonia due to the latest news on solution concerning a name dispute with Greece, our speakers from Macedonia prof. Milaim Fetai from University in Tetovo and prof. Jasmina Trajkoska from the Faculty of Political Science in Skopje talked about the name dispute and relations of Macedonia with EU and NATO member countries, in particular with Greece and Bulgaria. It was stressed that the latest positive developments make Macedonia approaching NATO more, following its political will of joining Euro-Atlantic integration.
During the International Summer School Deputy Mayor of the City of Zagreb Jelena Pavičić Vukičević visited as a special guest and held a presentation with the topic: ‘Importance of international cooperation of EU capitals – Special review on cooperation in culture, tourism, education and sport’. Pavičić Vukičević presented also the City of Zagreb and talked about how cities are stakeholders in creation of European public policies, explaining the difference between multicultural and intercultural approach of understanding the community.
With the presentation of Dmitry Maltsev, the First Secretary at Russian Embassy in Croatia ended the third day of the International summer school in Šipan. The topic of the presentation was: Russian foreign policy in Croatia, however the fruitful discussion tackled the whole South Eastern Europe. Maltsev mentioned that Russian relations with Croatia were not developing for the past 7 years, however they are improving lately and is expected to be continued in that direction.
Last day of the International summer school in Šipan started with the presentation of Ambassador Boro Vučinić PhD, Embassy of Montenegro to Croatia, whose topic was: ‘Montenegro as an example of successful NATO Enlargement Policy’. Amb. Vučinić stated what are the advantages of Montenegro joining NATO and how Montenegro is dedicated in promoting dialogue in the region for achieving better security and stability.
Advisor to the Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tamara Krupski held a presentation: ‘Croatian views on relationship between security and economic development: two sides of the same process or two separate processes?’ Ms. Krupski showed the inevitable relation between security and economic development going in both ways, saying how important it is for Croatia to be a member of EU and NATO, but stressing the importance of OECD in this context.
Very inspirational presentation was held by Stephanie Fenkart, Director of our partner International Institute for Peace from Vienna on the topic: ‘Rise of populism in the European Union’. The conclusion Fenkart took is that populism is a threat to European unity. It can be seen in two ways: as a movement and political style. The presentation followed with an interesting debate on how to recognize populism and how media help populist become more famous.
Our 17th International Summer School in Šipan ended with the simulation on the topic: ‘NATO in the Western Balkans as a stability factor – perspectives and challenges’ with the Case study: Macedonia. Students were divided in four groups representing delegations of: NATO, Macedonia, Greece and Russia. Very interesting debate among students, coordinated by our Vice-President Monika Begovic PhD. The discussion ended with all parties signing a Declaration that showed how students were active in understanding conflicted interests and still making a conclusion with a joint declaration.
The certificates on participation to our School were given to every participant, and a policy paper will be prepared afterwards.
International Summer School Sipan organized by the Atlantic Council of Croatia with the support of NATO PDD (Public Diplomacy Division) and International Institute for Peace from Vienna with the topic: ‘The role of NATO in the process of stabilization of the Western Balkan countries’ ended fulfilling remarkable results: 20 speakers and 25 participants. Very good results, impressions, new friendships, and most important gained knowledge on the contemporary international relations.