Özet:

The rich diversity in Balkan region presents threats and opportunities. In the recent past, the region has paid a price of diversity. I have a strong belief that, now the region can set an example of cooperation and collaboration in all domains of life: That is in scientific, economic and social aspects of life.Balkan region is not very rich in agricultural land and natural resources. But the region is very rich in terms of human and cultural resources, which is the most important resource in the 21. Century. An area where human resources play significant role is the area of foreign trade. This paper searches potential areas of collaboration and cooperation in foreign trade. Trade among the Balkan Countries does not constitute a significant portion of their foreign trade. Only 10,7 percent of the exports and 6.7 percent of imports of the Balkan Countries are trade among Balkan Countries. This may indicate that the Balkan Countries are not economically well integrated.The region has strong foreign trade relations with some countries. Germany itself has trade volume with Balkan Countries about twice as large as the trade among Balkan countries. Italy ranks the second in terms of trade volume with Balkan countries. Still the foreign trade volume of Balkan countries is small compared to the world trade volume. With active cooperation among Balkan countries, the trade volume with other countries can be increased and trade deficit can be reduced.The list of export and import commodities of Balkan countries are composed of completing rather than complementing products. But, this does not mean that there is no room for collaboration among Balkan countries. It only requires different objective and strategy for collaboration.

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