ABSTRACT

Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria are three states with many things in common. In the context of the processes of change in East-Central Europe, economics, politics and culture converge to link together these three states in a special category. Contrary to their neighbours in former Yugoslavia, they have managed until to preserve peace in their territories. The end of the Cold War has opened an era of opportunity for the three states, but this optimistic perspective is darkened by the growing geopolitical tensions in their area. The Via Egnetia starts in Dyrrachium and continues through Albania, Macdeonia, Greece, the port of Salonica, and Greek and Turkish Thrace to arrive in Istanbul. Turkey has an important regional advantage in the control of the Bosporus, which gives her considerable leverage on all the countries surrounding the Black Sea.