The Multi-level Dimensions of Peace: The New Macro Regionalism in Europe

Since 2009 several macro-regions have been created, or are in the pro- cess of being created, on European territory. While scholars have discussed the broader implications of this new development, above all macro-regions’ contribution to the pursuit of cohesion goals, little attention has been given to their impact on peace and stability. Focusing on the case of the Adriatic Ionian macro-region, which involves the volatiles states of the western Balkans, this paper examines the macro-regions’ ability to further peace and stability. On balance, while there exist considerable challenges in the process of implementation of macro-regions, nonetheless this initiative represents an important attempt to involve Europe’s neighbours in the European political and institutional space and, by so doing, extends the European regional peace system to as many states as possible.