Environmental Problems of the Western Balkan Region and the Regional Aspects of Transboundary Risks

Environment in the Western Balkan Region is determined by the stage of development, economic structure, burdens of war destruction, stage in approaching and joining the EU and the limits of support. Industrial emissions, mining activities, and the communal waste burdening are key issues among environmental damages in the region which has very dangerous transboundary impact as well. Bilateral intergovernmental cooperation in the field of environmental policy has not been fully exploited among the region states. Cross border and international environmental cooperation and its support (EU IPA Program) have been created to manage water and environmental problems related to divided waters, border rivers and lakes. There is similar cooperation in the coordinated management of cross border protected areas (national parks).