The economics of peace and sustainable development. The European Union and its economic relations with Western Balkans

The principle at the heart of the creation of the European Union and of the more extended European Economic Area is the assumption that economic interdependence and cooperation are harbingers of peace. The aim of the present work is to verify this assumption, to demonstrate the social and economic pillars of its success and to investigate the challenge it poses for development and sustainability. In this framework we will consider the impact of two development strategies in the Western Balkans. The first is the Horizon 2020, within which we find a pillar on ‘societal challenges’ whose main points are ‘Europe in a changing world – inclusive, innovative and reflective societies’ and the development of smart technologies in all the spheres of social life. The second is the UN Agenda 2030 whose objective 16 is aimed at promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, based on justice, responsible and effective institutions at all levels of government, and administration. The researcher will finally discuss the means used to promote these important challenges and the importance of the process of culturalization to achieve these ends.