The Relationship Between the Development of Transport Infrastructure and Geopolitics in the Western Balkans

Abstract

The geopolitical significance of the Balkans can be observed throughout the majority of its history deriving mainly from its relative position between continents, close to strategic maritime and land routes. In certain political circumstances this position attracted regional and great powers which resulted in their direct involvement in “Balkan affairs”, which was made easier by the fragmented ethnic and political nature of the region. One particular field of involvement has been the construction of strategic transportation infrastructure which characterizes the current situation as well. After briefly touching upon the general geopolitical significance of transportation, we argue that the examined external powers (the EU, Russia, China, and Turkey) involved in planning and financing the ongoing infrastructure development in the Western-Balkans are doing so in a geopolitical framework, where the investments also aim to bolster the influence of the investor country in the region. The priorities and logic behind these moves can differ, but all actors use infrastructure as an overtly expressed field of their strategies.