Balkans witness Political unrest and Economic challenges An exclusive interview with Mesut Idriz

Interviews 12:41 21.09.2016

Eurasia Diary conducts exclusive interview with Dr. Mesut Idriz.  Professor of the Department of Social and Political Science, International University of Sarajevo.

He talks about the current situation of the Balkans and other conflict in that region.  

Eurasia Diary: Please, tell a little about your educational background and your experience in the field of International Relations?

Dr.Mesut Idriz: Well, it was time of the breakup of Yugoslavia. I started my education in Syria where I was studying Arabic language and Islamic Law. From Syria, I moved to Malaysia for doing my PhD, and teaching at the University. At that time, in the 1990s, Malaysia experienced an economic boom and was among so-called “Asian Tigers”. I was working as an editor in one of the oldest British Methodist Publishing Houses (MPH). Later on, in 2010, I settled in Turkey and finally, in 2012, I joined the University of Sarajevo where I am still working.

Eurasia Diary: You are a professor of Comparative History of Civilizations, Law and Ethics and you are teaching the Political Science course at the International University of Sarajevo, so how you see the today’s Balkans.

Dr.Mesut Idriz: Balkan region is a peninsula with so many different religions and ethnical groups. For example, in Kosovo has mainly Albanian population, but there are also Serbs, Turks and Roman minorities. Hence, you have to be careful when you design the curriculums for students and avoid any kind of discrimination.

Eurasia Diary:  How do you see the inside political situation of the Balkans?

Dr.Mesut Idriz: Political parties play a significant role in the Balkans. As in the case with education, the political parties have to come up with a proper policy to all ethnic groups in the region. Public welfare, social security and health issues have to be taken seriously.

Usually, we observe serious economic problems and improper wealth distribution in the Balkan region as well as in Slovenia, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Albania caused by ineffective work of the political parties.

Eurasia Diary: So, you are teaching a special course of the Public Diplomacy in Balkans, in the University of Pristine in Kosovo. Could you please speak more about this subject?

Dr.Mesut Idriz: It is interesting that the history of public diplomacy is very long but it is usually discussed at the state level. This time, I decided to give a chance to students to step into shoes of the politicians. I was the first person in Kosovo who designed this Summer School Course, which got a huge attention, from the international students as well as from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kosovo.

Eurasia Diary: So, do you think that the wider stand of Wahhabism is taking core in the Muslim population of the Balkan states?

Dr.Mesut Idriz: In the Balkans, among others, there are two fractions of this movement: Salafi and Wahhabi movements. Both movements evolved far before the communism collapse. Immediately after the Soviet Union collapsed, different movements took their beginning and started to spread own ideology not only in Yugoslavia but also in Bulgaria and Albania. They have established their own institutions, Medias, and continue spreading books in local languages.

Balkan states have their own Islamic religious communities that are governed at the state’s level but all of these groups have to operate within the limits of the Islamic religious communities, otherwise they can face trial. The most important issue now is to prevent the spread of so called Takfiri movement which even has the connection with ISIS.

Eurasia Diary: How do you think, is there any threat of ISIS spreading in the Balkan region?

Dr.Mesut Idriz: Usually, people, especially youth decide to join ISIS due to the lack of economic welfare. And we have several such cases in Kosovo, Bosnia and Macedonia. But there is a strong will to cooperate with the international community in order to prevent youth joining ISIS.

Eurasia Diary: What do you think about possible threat of disintegration the Balkan states from each others?

Dr.Mesut Idriz: Disintegration of the Balkan states is possible only if any foreign power is interested in that. Otherwise, all states will be united as it is now.

Eurasia Diary: How do you see the relations between Turkey, Albania and Macedonia after 2012?

Dr.Mesut Idriz: Turkey has very strong relations with Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo.  Now, there is more than 4.5 million of Albanians in Turkey. Leaders of the Balkan states are usually invited to participate in all important events in Turkey. For example, recently, the President of Macedonia took part at the opening ceremony of newly built Yavuz Sultan Selim bridge in Turkey.

Eurasia Diary: How can you comment on the Russian foreign policy towards Balkans?

Dr.Mesut Idriz: Obviously, Russia wishes to support good collaboration with the Balkans. Russia's direct access to the Sea is severely restricted. Hence, Russia pays much attention to the neighboring states that have it and Baltic region is not an exception. By doing big investments into economy, Russia ensures a powerful voice in the region.

Eurasia Diary: How do you see Macedonia after thousands of protesters gathered in Macedonia's capital demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski?

Dr.Mesut Idriz: We should not ignore the foreign presence in that event. The Prime Minister was quite flexible in certain issues during its negotiation with the leaders of the opposition. I guess they agreed on certain issues that is why his party and coalition parties stayed in power again.

Eurasia Diary: How do you see the situation in the south-western region of Serbia?

Dr.Mesut Idriz: In 2006, when Montenegro declared its independence, the region divided in 2 parts. One part wants to be controlled by the Serbian central government. Another part wishes to be close to Bosnia. But there is also the third part that claim about own independence, especially in terms of economy.

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