Multilateral Environmental Agreements and EU Integration of Western Balkan States (Status of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Croatia in Multilateral Environmental Agreements)

Abstract

The objective of the article is to perceive relationships between the statuses of Western Balkan states (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Croatia) in multilateral environmental agreements and EU integration. It points to the significance of multilateral agreements and certain theoretical aspects of debates on factors which stipulate how states act when dealing with multilateral agreements. The article compares the statuses of the states within this region in terms of the most important multilateral environmental agreements (global and regional). In its conclusions, it is recognized that Croatia (which is the first country to start the EU integration process and which is currently a member of the EU) much more quickly gained the status of a contracting party to multilateral treaties, both globally and regionally. Nevertheless, it is necessary to bear in mind other circumstances of transition, and above all, differences in the level of economic development.

The Role of the European Environment Agency in Light of Green Agenda Priorities for the Western Balkans With a Special Focus on Montenegro - Recovery and European Future

“…The goal of establishing the Agency is to protect and improve the state of the environment as well as sustainable development, by providing the member states, the Union and other stakeholders with objective, reliable and comparable information as well as with necessary technical and scientific support. 22 The Agency's main areas are "air quality, water quality, pollutants and water resources, soil condition, biodiversity, use of land and natural resources, waste management, noise emission, chemical substances that are dangerous for the environment and coastal and marine protection". 23 The EEA's mandate is guided by a commitment to promoting sustainable development and protecting Europe's environment and natural resources for the benefit of future generations.…”

Climate change, emergency situations and the response of Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia

“…42 Разлике у погледу чланства у овим међународним уговорима могу се сагледавати кроз брзину потврђивања међународних уговора, кроз статус у режиму који је успостављен Кјото протоколом, као и испуњавање обавеза из Париског споразума. Ове разлике би се могле, највећим делом, везивати за чињеницу да је Хрватска чланица ЕУ и да по том основу испуњава своје обавезе које проистичу из међународних уговора(Todić, 2019).Унутрашњи прописи три државе (Србије, Црне Горе и Хрватске) садрже значајан ниво сличности у делу који се односи на везе између климатских промена и ванредних ситуација. Преплитање "климатских промена" и "ванредних ситуација" може се пратити како са становишта дефиниција кључних појмова, тако и кроз различите обавезе, укључујући и обавезе које се односе на прилагођавање на климатске промене.…”