Thewesternbalkans.
3. Russia, China and other countries
While the EU has an important role in the region, Russia and China are major players, too. Russia has been active for decades in the Western Balkans, while China has started engaging more recently. Their strategy also differs, with Russia more focused on exporting its fossil fuels to the region, and China investing through its Belt and Road Initiative. Nonetheless, such involvement creates dependencies, which could hamper these countries’ integration into the EU – from both a political and an energy/economic perspective – as well as the functioning of the EU itself. In this context, experts have noted what steps the EU and the countries in the region could take to lessen these dependencies, while enhancing the Western Balkan countries’ energy security and helping them take the necessary steps towards the green transition.
Russia continues to be a major supplier of energy resources to the countries of the Western Balkans – especially Serbia, Macedonia, BiH (Republika Srpska). The TE-TO Skopje cogeneration plant, which provides heat to the capital and produces electricity, remains dependent on Russian gas and is controlled by interests linked to the Russian group Sintez.
Turkey also participates in the energy mixt of the Western Balkans. It should be noted that the so-called Balkan Stream gas corridor is a natural extension of the Turkish Stream. In addition, Ankara’s special policy towards countries with a Muslim population in the Western Balkans represents a lasting long-term interest.
Comments: The European Union considers the Western Balkans as its own territory and in this regard strives to develop in these countries an energy policy close to contemporary European trends, including the implementation of the Green Deal principles. In turn, the United States shows interest in any business opportunity and in maintaining its influence in every part of the world. The Western Balkans are no exception to this trend. This also determines the proactive strategy for changing the region’s energy map. Russia, China, and Turkey are trying to maintain and expand their influence through various forms of dependencies and presence in the energy market of Southeastern Europe.
