Balkan Region Research Articles

Origin and Genealogy of Rare mtDNA Haplotypes Detected in the Serbian Population.

Background: The Balkan Peninsula has served as an important migration corridor between Asia Minor and Europe throughout humankind's history and a refugium during the Last Glacial Maximum. Past migrations such as the Neolithic expansion, Bronze Age migrations, and the settlement of Slavic tribes in the Early Middle Ages, are well known for their impact on shaping the genetic pool of contemporary Balkan populations. They have contributed to the high genetic diversity of the region, especially in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages. Serbia, located in the heart of the Balkans, reflects this complex history in a broad spectrum of mtDNA subhaplogroups. Methods: To explore genetic diversity in Serbia and the wider Balkan region, we analyzed rare mtDNA subclades-R0a, N1a, N1b, I5, W, and X2-using publicly available data. Our dataset included already published sequences from 3499 HVS-I/HVS-II and 1426 complete mitogenomes belonging to West Eurasian and African populations, containing both contemporary and archaeological samples. We assessed the parameters of genetic diversity found in different subclades across the studied regions and constructed detailed phylogeographic trees and haplotype networks to determine phylogenetic relationships. Results: Our analyses revealed the observable geographic structure and identified novel mtDNA subclades, some of which may have originated in the Balkan Peninsula (e.g., R0a1a5, I5a1, W1c2, W3b2, and X2n). Conclusions: The geographic distribution of rare subclades often reveals patterns of past population movements, routes, and gene flows. By tracing the origin and diversity of these subclades, our study provided new insights into the impact of historical migrations on the maternal gene pool of Serbia and the wider Balkan region, contributing to our understanding of the complex genetic history of this important European crossroads.

Building russkiy mir online – Russia´s competing narratives

ABSTRACT This article examines the Facebook profile of the Russian Embassy in North Macedonia from August 2021 to August 2022 to shed light on the broader strategies of the Russian Federation in the Balkan region. Through a content analysis of posts, it reveals that the Embassy’s social media activity intensified after February 2022, shifting from fostering bilateral relations to promoting the Russian narrative and worldview. By this analysis, the article argues that the primary objective of this shift is to advance the concept of Russkiy Mir (Russian World), using social media as a strategic tool to influence public opinion in the Balkans.

CTGCT, Centre of Excellence for the Technologies of Gene and Cell Therapy: Collaborative Translation of Scientific Discoveries into Advanced Treatments for Neurological Rare Genetic Diseases and Cancer

The emerging field of precision medicine relies on scientific breakthroughs to understand disease mechanisms and develop cutting-edge technologies to overcome underlying genetic and functional aberrations. The establishment of the Centre of Excellence for the Technologies of Gene and Cell Therapy (CTGCT) at the National Institute of Chemistry (NIC) in Ljubljana represents a significant step forward, as it is the first centre of its kind in Slovenia. The CTGCT is poised to spearhead advances in cancer immunotherapy and personalised therapies for neurological and other rare genetic diseases. The centre’s overarching mission is to extend beyond the NIC’s scientific excellence in basic research and bring new therapeutic solutions toward clinical application. The CTGCT aims to develop a broad pipeline of biomedical tools, including innovative synthetic biology tools, gene editing and splicing technologies, RNA-based technologies, immune regulation engineering and novel viral and non-viral delivery systems. The CTGCT is supported by partner institutions from the UK, the Netherlands and Germany, which already have academic good manufacturing practice (GMP) facilities for the manufacture of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) and is committed to active collaboration with clinicians and patient organizations at all stages of development to improve access to gene and cell therapies (GCTs) for patients. The Centre also seeks to collaborate with national and international academic and industrial partners, and the newly established GMP facilities will address a critical bottleneck in the translation of GCTs from research to practice. Finally, CTGCT's translational research and technology transfer units will ensure the impactful dissemination of research and innovation activities in Slovenia, throughout the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe region, and beyond. With its comprehensive approach and forward-looking vision, the CTGCT will drive transformative advances in gene and cell therapies for the benefit of patients on a global scale.

EXCHANGE RATE VOLATILITY AND INWARD FDI: A PANEL DATA ANALYSIS OF BALKAN COUNTRIES

This study investigates the relationship between exchange rate volatility and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Balkan countries, a region known for its political instability and significant economic and institutional challenges. Using secondary data from 2011 to 2021, this study employs a fixed-effects model with a dynamic specification to analyze the impact of exchange rate volatility on FDI, alongside other key determinants such as inflation, crude oil prices and corruption perception index. The results indicate that exchange rate volatility negatively impacts the FDI inflows, while crude oil prices are found to have a significant positive effect. The impact of inflation and corruption perception index is found insignificant in explaining FDI inflows, suggesting that these factors do not substantially influence investment decisions in the Balkan region. These findings contribute to the literature on FDI in the Balkans and provide valuable insights for policymakers and investors. The results suggest that reducing exchange rate volatility could improve the investment climate and enhance the region’s attractiveness for foreign investment.

Analysis of Long-Term Monitoring of Radon Levels in a Low-Ventilated, Semi-Underground Laboratory—Dose Estimation and Exploration of Potential Earthquake Precursors

This study involves continuous radon monitoring during the academic year 2023/2024. An Airthings Corentium Home radon detector placed in the basement laboratory of a faculty building in Kosovska Mitrovica (N 42.897°, E 20.867°) was used for continuous measurements. The average radon concentration was 303 Bq/m3, and a seasonal pattern during the measuring period was observed. For the first time, the results were grouped by week, excluding non-working days, to present a real case scenario with the aim of assessing the radon exposure of students, teachers, and employed persons. The inhalation dose from radon (1.54 mSv) was very high considering that exposure occurred in both semesters. Another aspect of continuous radon monitoring was to explore the relationship between indoor radon measurements and the occurrences of earthquakes in the Balkan region. Daily variations in radon (peaks and differences) were analyzed at the monitoring site by using both empirical laws and taking into account the earthquake data set provided by the Seismological Survey of Serbia. The analysis revealed that the events chosen to confirm a clear association between earthquake occurrence and enhanced radon activities in the air(as a precursor of seismic activities) did not meet the required criteria but most likely reflected external meteorological conditions.

Historiographical and doctrinal aspects of constructing European identity (using the example of the modern Balkans)

The article deals with the problems of constructing European identity, which is quite controversial and multifaceted. It is noted that there are difficulties in identifying common themes that would unite the different nationalities inhabiting Europe. Using the example of the countries of the Balkan region, a possible conflict situation between the European and national levels of political and cultural identification is analyzed. Two models of the evolution of national identity and its relationship with European identity, called “convergence of identities” (Croatia) and “divergence of identities” (Serbia), are considered. The article notes that part of society in European countries is trying to identify itself with a united Europe and its values. At the same time, there are other sentiments, a different vector of self-identification for that part of the European population that sees European integration as a threat to national unity, established traditions and cultural identity. Such sentiments often find expression in increased ethnocentrism and the rise of nationalist feelings. The article also draws attention to the competition between national and regional identities, including the revival of autonomist narratives in certain European states.

Cost-effectiveness of prevention program for type 2 diabetes mellitus in high risk patients in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Republic of Srpska (RS), as a part of the Western Balkans (WB) region, has a higher diabetes prevalence than the EU. This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of early treatment of high-risk patients with pre-diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes in our setting. We designed a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) model which reflects the current International Diabetes Federation (IDF) three-step plan for the prevention of T2DM in those at increased risk. The model captures the evolution of the disease in FINDRISC high-risk patients from normal glucose tolerance (NGT) to impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and then to T2DM and its complications. We developed two MCMC models, in order to follow the progression of the disease in high-risk cases, ie, when early treatment is undertaken or when it is not undertaken. The health costs and quality adjusted life years (QALY) were discounted at an annual rate of 3%. The key model parameters were varied in one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Early treatment resulted in increased life expectancy, postponement of the onset of diabetes and increased QALY for all patients. The discounted incremental cost-effectiveness-ratios (ICER) in NGT, IFG, IGT, and T2DM patients were -289.9, 9724.03, -1478.59 and 4084.67 €. In high-risk IGT patients, ICER was the most favorable, being both a cost saving and QALY gaining, with the consistent results confirmed by the sensitivity analysis. The results recommend the acceptance of a new health policy of identifying IGT patients with the use of FINDRISC questionnaire and plasma glucose measurements; providing them with a lifestyle change program; and implementing intensive diabetes treatment, as their disease progresses. Our results are especially significant for the Western Balkan countries, since this was the first cost-effectiveness study of T2DM prevention in this region.

Invasion History and Dispersion Dynamics of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly in the Balkan Peninsula.

The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann 1824; Diptera, Tephritidae), is considered one of the most important pests, infesting more than 300 species of fresh fruit and vegetables worldwide. The medfly is an important invasive species, which has spread from the eastern part of sub-Saharan Africa to all of the world's continents in recent centuries. Currently, the medfly is expanding its geographical range to cooler, temperate areas of the world, including northern areas of Mediterranean countries and continental areas of Central Europe. We collected and analysed all the available information, including in historical records, on the phenology of the medfly in the Balkan Peninsula, to map and understand the path of invasion and spread dynamics on the northern Mediterranean coast and in Central Europe. The medfly was first recorded in the Balkan Peninsula in 1915, in the Aegean area on the island of Aigina, followed by a few records on its presence in the Peloponnese in the early 1930s and throughout the Adriatic coastal area in the 1950s; it was first detected on the Croatian coast in 1947. By 2010, the medfly had been detected along the entire Ionian coast, while the first record of its presence on the Balkan coast of the Black Sea was made in 2005. Since 2000 to date, there has been a significant increase in the frequency of medfly detections in the interior of the Balkan Peninsula, including occasional detections in areas with unfavourable climatic conditions for overwintering, which seems to be favourable for reproduction during the summer and lead to significant infestation of late ripening fruits (late summer and autumn). In the last 20 years, the medfly has spread to more northerly areas (43 to 45 degrees latitude) and has been detected at higher altitudes (>200 to 600 m). Along the Balkan Peninsula, the infestation of fruits from 25 host plant species, from 14 genera and 10 plant families, has been reported. Considering the extremely high invasiveness of the medfly and its wide distribution in several Balkan regions with different climatic conditions, we can assume that it is adapting to new climatic conditions and infesting new host plants.

Digital Banking Across the Balkans: Navigating Adoption, Innovation, and Regional Challenges

Digital banking has emerged as a major force in reshaping financial services globally, providing greater access, efficiency, and cost savings. This study focuses on the usage and adoption of digital banking in the Balkan countries, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. These nations, at varying stages of economic development and regulatory alignment, offer a unique context for exploring the trends, drivers, and barriers to digital banking. The article begins by examining the global rise of digital banking and its potential to address financial inclusion, particularly in emerging markets. It then provides an in-depth analysis of the Balkan region, where some countries have embraced digital banking more rapidly, while others face challenges such as limited infrastructure, digital literacy, and regulatory hurdles. Through a comparative analysis, this paper identifies the key factors influencing digital banking penetration, including technological advancements, economic conditions, regulatory frameworks, and consumer trust. The study utilizes secondary data from a range of sources, including financial reports, statistical databases, and academic literature. Received: 2 August 2024 / Accepted: 31 October 2024 / Published: 3 December 2024

Unlocking regional value chains: Fintech’s role in the Western Balkans' integration into global markets

Digitalization and automation are restructuring the geographical landscape of operations and labor, significantly altering operations in global value chains (GVCs). Digital technologies are expected to boost resilience, enhance transparency, and foster sustainability in GVCs. In this context, this paper looks at how the application of fintech solutions fosters the creation of regional value chains (RVCs), increasing attractiveness and generating new opportunities for enterprises in the Western Balkan region to participate in GVCs To fill the existing gap for granular analysis at the industry level, the paper examines if enterprises in the Western Balkans that apply of fintech solutions in financial management have better opportunities to create RVCs than the ones that resist fintech implementation. Using a benchmarking instrument on fintech solutions implemented on 370 enterprises, this paper tries to identify industries with the highest potential to create RVCs and higher prospects for integration in GVCs. Our findings indicate that fintech solutions and applications can be one of the main driving forces in transforming and upgrading RVCs in Western Balkan countries.

STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE USE OF ICT IN ENGLISH CLASS AT TERTIARY LEVEL

The use of ICT tools is frequently regarded as a beneficial and effective method for foreign language learning. In addition to providing tools which can help students improve their language skills, ICT can be used to motivate them and foster their interest and positive attitudes towards language learning. On the other hand, overwhelmed by a number of learning tools and apps available, as well as the multitasking required for such a learning experience, some students may find them distracting, which leads to a lower quality in the work produced. Despite the abundance of existing studies on the topic, very few have addressed the use of ICT at the tertiary level, and almost none have aimed at including students from two different countries in the Balkan region. Hence, the present study aims to explore the attitudes of university students at two tertiary institutions in Slovenia and Croatia towards the use of ICT in their language learning classrooms. The results were obtained using an online questionnaire and were further quantitatively analysed using descriptive statistics and a t-test for unpaired samples. According to the results, the vast majority of the students acknowledge the importance of ICT tools and highlight their usefulness in relation to learning English. However, a difference between the groups is observed in the frequency of usage and types of online tools used in their language learning process. Finally, the results of this study show that the integration of ICT in learning should be carefully and thoughtfully planned in advance. Although prevalent in language settings, ICT should not be seen as a sole replacement for face-to-face learning sessions, but as a necessary complement to English classes. Teachers should first consider the diverse comfort levels and technological proficiencies of students to ensure that ICT enhances, rather than hinders, the learning process. Keywords: language learning, English, ICT, students’ attitudes, tertiary level, Slovenia, Croatia

HPR82 Feasibility Study on the Possibilities for Implementation of National Screen Program for Lung Cancer in CEE Countries With Focus on the Balkan Region

HPR82 Feasibility Study on the Possibilities for Implementation of National Screen Program for Lung Cancer in CEE Countries With Focus on the Balkan Region

THE USE OF PERSIAN LOANWORDS IN ALBANIAN: FOCUSING ON THE REGISTERS OF THE LOW LEVEL OF FORMALITY

: This study addresses the use of Persian loanwords in today's Albanian language, focusing on registers with a low level of formality. Persian (Farsi) had an extensive presence in the culture of the Ottoman Empire, which for almost five centuries ruled the Balkan region, where Albanians lived as well. Thus, intercultural relations were established between Albanians and Persians, but with the mediation of the Ottoman Empire. In this way, a large number of Persian words penetrated the Albanian language, many of which, even after many attempts to replace them with Albanian words, have wide use in various registers of this language. Our study addresses the shift of Persian words from high to low-level of registers of formality. This study is conducted using two corpora. The first corpus consists of the lyrics of folk songs, as the genre of the lower level of formality. The second corpus consists of interviews with 100 people interviewed within the project "Oral History of Kosovo". The analysis of the use of this part of the Albanian lexicon was carried out on the basis of the theory of corpus linguistics, the theory of languages in contact and the sociolinguistic approach to language registers. The study relies on multi-functionality and linguistic pluralism, on the basis of which the functionalization of Persian words has been researched and used in different styles. Keywords: Persian words, Albanian vocabulary, styles and registers, cultural impacts

Narration Beyond Genres: The Military Memoirs of Kabudlu Mustafa Vasfi

One of the manuscripts in the rich collection at Leiden University Library was written by a cavalry soldier named Kabudlu Mustafa Vasfi. He was a deli (irregu- lar horseman) in the Ottoman army in the first quarter of the nineteenth century and travelled to many places in the eastern Anatolian and Balkan regions. In 1834 Kabudlu wrote a work called Tevārīḫ, in which he discusses his travels and memories. In the manuscript, he states that he composed the tevārīḫ (chronicle) as an account of the cities he visited and the wars he witnessed. In this article, I discuss the reasons why a deli soldier would pen his memoirs by considering the context of Ottoman book culture in the nineteenth century. The place that chronicles, autobiographies and travelogues occupied in that period is worthy of greater attention, and they shed light on how the narratives of an Ottoman soldier were influenced during the trans- formation from manuscript culture to the era of the printing press. In that regard, by analysing the manuscript, which was written on the eve of print capitalism in Otto- man territories, I try to answer the question of why Kabudlu Mustafa Vasfi referred to his extraordinary travel notes as a chronicle (tevārīḫ). Besides examining two journeys, namely the travels of the author as well as the travels of the manuscript itself, I also discuss other travelogues, chronicles, memoirs and diaries from that period to dem- onstrate the importance of this ego-document written by an irregular soldier within the context of Ottoman literary traditions.

Unraveling Incongruence: The EU Proposal in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue

This paper explores the complexities surrounding the acceptance of the European Union (EU) Proposal in the ongoing Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. The incongruence between Belgrade and Brussels is shaped by several interrelated factors. Central to this discord is the premature transfer of authority from the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to the EU. This transition was prompted by UNMIK's failure to safeguard Kosovo's non-Albanian population and the breakdown of status negotiations, culminating in Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence. Although the EU has facilitated technical agreements that have supported the region's trajectory toward European integration, it has also encountered significant challenges. Notably, the withdrawal of Kosovo Serbs from political, judicial, and law enforcement institutions, compounded by the destabilizing effects of the Ukraine conflict, has intensified the crisis. These dynamics have accelerated a reliance on informal agreements, which circumvent domestic legislative processes and are characterized by a lack of transparency. The EU Proposal seeks to expedite the normalization process but contains a contentious provision that implicitly demands Serbia's acceptance of Kosovo's independence—an issue perceived in Serbia as a transgression of its core national interests. While the proposal lacks formal legal bindingness, the EU wields considerable influence, applying pressure on Serbia through mechanisms such as economic sanctions. However, such measures risk exacerbating anti-EU sentiment within Serbia. The paper argues that the EU’s strategy, which emphasizes informal agreements and seeks to avoid overt confrontation, may yield eventual progress but also risks entrenching political tensions within Serbia and Kosovo. The long-term implications of this approach remain uncertain, posing potential challenges for the stability of the EU and the broader Western Balkans region.

Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Renal Biopsy in Greek Children: 15 Years of Experience at a Single Center.

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy (PRB) is a key element for diagnosis and management of several renal pathologies. We aimed to lay out the experience of our pediatric nephrology unit performing PRBs. The rationale and findings of these biopsies, safety issues and considerations of the extracted data are going to be analyzed. A retrospective study was conducted from 2008 to 2023 based on the review of the medical records of pediatric patients who underwent PRBs. In total, 216 kidney biopsies in 206 patients were performed: 115 (53.2%) during the 2008-2015 period and 101 (46.8%) during the 2016-2023 period. The most frequent clinical indication for PRBs was nephritic syndrome followed by nephrotic syndrome, observed in 84 (40.8%) and 72 (34.9%) patients, respectively. The predominant diagnosis was minimal change disease (MCD) (23.3%), followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (15%) equal to lupus nephritis (LN) (15%), and immunoglobulin A nepropathy (10.2%). Minor complications, such as subcapsular hematomas were observed in approximately 15% of patients while no therapeutic intervention was needed. This report is the first review of pathohistological data covering a pediatric population over a 15-year period in Greece and one of the largest in southeastern Europe, especially in the Balkan region. The main indication for a PRB was nephritic syndrome; however, MCD was the main histological diagnosis. This study emphasis the fact that PRBs constitute a safe and reliable method of diagnostic approach to kidney diseases in childhood and offers important information on therapeutic approaches as well as the prognosis of these patients.

Time constraints on the Variscan magmatism along Iskar River Gorge and Botevgrad basin, Bulgaria

The Variscan basement outcropping along the Iskar River Gorge and in the Botevgrad basin gives a perfect opportunity to study the entire late Carboniferous to early Permian magmatic episode including several stages. The initial stage of a K-alkaline magmatism at 330 to 310 Ma, which points to a melting of enriched mantle source, was followed by a voluminous calk-alkaline to K calk-alkaline magmatism and emplacement of several plutons in the interval between 309 and 306 Ma as well as volcanics (307.4±2.2 Ma). Coeval sporadic K-alkaline events are constrained as well. During the third stage, in the interval 288–286 Ma, an intrusion of predominantly acid subvolcanic bodies and dikes took place. After ca. 35 Ma long period of magmatic quiescence, a new episode of magmatic activity started at late Permian–Early Triassic when “A-type” magmatism specific to rifting setting was initiated. The same event is geochronologically proved further east in the Central Balkan and Sliven region (Sinite kamani).

Ductile Versus Brittle Tectonics in the Anatolian–Aegean–Balkan System

It is hypothesized that the present tectonic setting of the Anatolian, Aegean and Balkan regions has been deeply influenced by the different deformation styles of the inner and outer belts which constituted the Oligocene Tethyan system. Stressed by the Arabian indenter, this buoyant structure has undergone a westward escape and strong bending. The available evidence suggests that in the Plio–Pleistocene time frame, the inner metamorphic core mainly deformed without undergoing major fragmentations, whereas the orogenic belts which flanked that core (Pontides, Balkanides, Dinarides and Hellenides) behaved as mainly brittle structures, undergoing marked fractures and fragmentations. This view can plausibly explain the formation of the Eastern (Crete–Rhodes) and Western (Peloponnesus) Hellenic Arcs, the peculiar time-space features of the Cretan basins, the development of the Cyprus Arc, the North Aegean strike-slip fault system, the southward escapes of the Antalya and Peloponnesus wedges and the complex tectonic setting in the Balkan zone. These tectonic processes have mostly developed since the late Late Miocene, in response to the collision of the Tethyan belt with the Adriatic continental domain, which accelerated the southward bending of the Anatolian and Aegean sectors, at the expense of the Levantine and Ionian oceanic domains. The proposed interpretation may help us to understand the connection between the ongoing tectonic processes and the spatio-temporal distribution of major earthquakes, increasing the chances of estimating the long-term seismic hazard in the study area. In particular, it is suggested that seismic activity in the Serbo–Macedonian zone may be favored by the post-seismic relaxation that develops after seismic crises in the Epirus thrust front and inhibited/delayed by the activations of the North Anatolian fault system.

Assessing the Role of Economic, Financial, and Institutional Dynamics on CO2 Emissions: Comparative Analysis of OECD and Western Balkan Regions

Assessing the Role of Economic, Financial, and Institutional Dynamics on CO2 Emissions: Comparative Analysis of OECD and Western Balkan Regions

Analysis of implementation factors of management systems – case of the Republic of Croatia

Management systems can serve as a foundation for more efficient and effective organizational management. By certifying their management system, an organization demonstrates its commitment to excellence and focus on meeting interested parties’ requirements. However, certification is determined by the decision of the organization’s management, which can be influenced by various factors such as the organization’s size, the market in which it operates, market opportunities, availability of financial resources, the organization’s product portfolio, and more. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify the factors that influence the management’s decision to initiate the certification process and certify the management system. The research was conducted on a sample of 320 business entities registered in the Republic of Croatia. The research instrument was a questionnaire, and the research results can be used to compare different countries in the Western Balkans region or European Union member states.