erc/metu
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ECONOMICS  IV
September 13-16, 2000, Ankara

Economic Cooperation and Integration of Countries in Southern Europe

Slavika Loceska (Faculty of Economics - Prilep, Macedonia)
Dimko Korakoski (Faculty of Economics - Prilep, Macedonia)

Abstract

The foregoing decade for many countries in Southeast Europe was a decade of destructive civilization processes, severe war conflicts, political and social disintegration. The historical animosity based upon strongly emphasized political, economic, ethnic, cultural and religious diversities have caused a profound division of the region and retarded its development. Likewise, the process of transition which is undergoing in many of these countries, to a great extend has affected the economic relations, concurrently imposing a need of evolving a new development strategy. In this respect, deepening regional economic cooperation could be a step forward in establishing stable relations, enhancing the level of social integration and improving their position into the global economy. Few institutional initiatives have been undertaken in this course. Among them, the project called "Stability Pact" is the most comprehensive and coherent concept for resolving current problems as well as for supporting and encouraging the development processes in these countries. Therefrom, this paper will be focused on researching the opportunities for overcoming the socio-economic constrains of intra-regional cooperation as a basic prerequisite for integration and development of this region as well as for achieving strategic advantages in the international economy.

Economic Research Center
Middle East Technical University
06531 Ankara Turkey
Phone: + 90 312 210 3044, 210 2003
Fax: +90 312 210 1244
e-mail: metuerc@metu.edu.tr