The Balkans

Described by Bismarck as the "powderkeg of Europe", and later host to the worst genocide on European soil since the Holocaust, we explore what relevance the Balkans region's tumultuous past has to its future. We interview Dr Gentian Elezi, former Vice Minister of European integration in the Albanian government, about Albania's EU integration and relations with other countries in the region. We also speak with Christos Constantopoulos about the view from the Southern Balkans in Greece, with regards to the rise of fascism and Greek attitudes towards Europe. We also ask Dr Tim Less, fellow at Darwin College, Cambridge and former British diplomat in Skopje and Banja Luka, about foreign interests in the Balkans, as well as what can be gained by taking a comparative perspective between eastern Europe and the Balkans.