Publication

The paper examines the role of regional integration in the Western Balkans and its effects on economic performance. It assesses the extent to which regional integration can foster economic growth in small economies, and discusses whether overcoming underdeveloped markets and creating an integrated South East European market will attract additional foreign capital and stimulate trade. The author analyzes the effects of a free trade area and provides a short overview on the theory of regional economic integration. Based on these evaluations, the paper concludes with a discussion of potential measures to convert regional cooperation into positive economic outcomes.