International Balkan Summer School “Balkans and Global Politics” Fourth Day Conlcuded

On the fourth day of the International Balkan Summer School “Balkans and Global Politics,” Prof. Dr. Bekim Nuhija delivered insightful lectures. His first lecture, titled “The Role and Strength of Balkan Countries in Maintaining World Peace and Order,” analyzed the geopolitical positions of the Balkan countries, while his second lecture, titled “International Law and the Role of the Great Powers within the Security Council of the United Nations,” delved into the complexities of international law and the influence of major powers on global security dynamics. Additionally, the day featured two workshops. Workshop 03 focused on “Great Powers and Balkans” with presentations on topics such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Russian influence on Western Balkan security, and the militarization of Türkiye’s foreign policy. Workshop 04 covered “Identity, History, and Balkans” with discussions on constitutional reform and EU integration, Austria-Hungary’s annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria’s neutrality during the Ottoman-Russian War of 1877-1878, and Türkiye’s soft power politics through its Yunus Emre Institute in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the end of the day, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Bulut delivered the closing keynote speech titled “The Challenges in the World and the future of Balkan Economies” followed by a closing session where the summer school was evaluated.

Workshops that took place today:

Workshop 03: Great Powers and Balkans

Moderator: Semran Murtezani

》China’s Belt and Road Initiative – Arta Haxhixhemajli (Kosovo)

》How Does Russian Influence Impact the Western Balkans’ Security? – Harun Nuhanović (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

》The Balkans as a test for the Militarization of Türkiye`s foreign policy Hypothesis – Dr. Marian Karagyozov (Bulgaria)

Workshop 04: Identity, History and Balkans

Moderator: Semran Murtezani

》Navigating the Crossroads: Constitutional Reform and the Rule of Law in the Balkans on the Path to EU Integration – Lorenca Bejko (Albania)

》Austria-Hungary’s Annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Humor Magazines – Hakan Şendilmen (Türkiye)

》The “Neutrality” of Austria during the Ottoman-Russian War of 1877-1878 through Greek-language Newspapers of the Ottoman State – Maria Ntisli (Greece)

》The role of foreign policy in soft power politics: a case study of Türkiye’s Yunus Emre Institute Language Policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Yunus Dilber (Türkiye)