When a State Seeks a Nation and a Nation Seeks a State - EU Accession in the Foreign Polices of Motenegro and Serbia

This paper examines the foreign policy of two of the post-Yugoslav states - Montenegro and Serbia. The two countries shape their external relations through attempts to balance domestic ethno-political compounds with their aspirations to become member states of the European Union (EU). The main question of the paper is to what extent their respective national identities pose an obstacle to the Montenegrin and Serbian foreign policy vis-a-vis the EU. By making use of Hansen and Waever's identity theory, we examine the different roots and manifestations of the state-nation constellation in the two countries.

Automated summary

This paper examines the foreign policy of Montenegro and Serbia and the impact of their national identities on their relationship with the EU.