ENERGY GEOPOLITICS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS – CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

The conference entitled "Geopolitics of Energy in the Western Balkans - Challenges and Perspectives", held on February 27, 2025, is a significant scientific event that brought together experts in the fields of energy, politics and international relations. Organized by the Institute for Political Studies and the Faculty of International Politics and Security of the "Union - Nikola Tesla" University, the conference addressed the future of energy security in the Balkans and its geopolitical implications, which are of key importance for the stability of the region.

The opening of the conference was attended by important guests, and the Director of the Institute for Political Studies, Dr. Miša Stojadinović, addressed the participants in a letter, wishing them successful work, due to their absence. The attendees were greeted by H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Serbia, Mr. Kamil Hasiev, and in his speech emphasized the importance of cooperation between the countries of the region in the field of energy. After Ambassador Hasijev, on behalf of the organizers, Dr. Violeta Rašković Talović, Dean of the Faculty of International Politics and Security, addressed the audience and emphasized that in light of significant geopolitical events, the topic of energy security and transition is today highly positioned at numerous international conferences, focused on the challenges that arise in this regard on the geostrategic, economic, foreign policy and development levels. These topics are being seriously discussed at the bilateral level because this issue is crucial for the national security of all countries. Cooperation in the field of energy is becoming an important political issue, opening a broad geopolitical discourse in multilateral relations. Our country is making great efforts to secure safe sources and connect to energy markets in order to ensure a stable and long-term sustainable energy supply.

The conference, which brought together participants from Russia, Azerbaijan, Italy and Serbia, attempted to identify opportunities for regional cooperation and the development of energy infrastructure that can contribute to stability and economic growth in the Balkans. A special contribution to the conference was made by the monograph of Prof. Dr. Andrei Baranov, which was presented at the very end of the event. The conference was closed by Dr. Marija Đorić, Assistant Director for Research at the Institute for Policy Studies, who emphasized the importance of such scientific gatherings for a deeper understanding of global energy trends and their impact on the stability of the region.

We would like to thank all participants for their exceptional engagement and successful organization of the conference, which undoubtedly contributed to the understanding of the key challenges facing the Western Balkans region, as well as the opportunities that the future may bring us in the field of energy security.