The beginning of the 1990s has vvitnessed enormous changes andupheavals in the structure of Balkan politics, conıparable with that of thefirst two decades of the 1900s. Socialist regimes collapsed, nationalism is onthe rise in its most fervent form, nevv states emerged, ethnic wars areundervvay, new relationships are set up, and so on. Within a very short spanof time, there have taken place great changes, making it difficult even forobservers to catch up with developments. Yet, some characteristics peculiarto the region are stili prevalent such as the problems conceming ethnicity andminority issues, and disputes in the Aegean Sea. These questions stili playan important role in determining the policies of the Balkan states.It has long been a commonplace to commence an interpretation of theBalkans by saying that it is a very complicated area vvhich is prone to ardentnationalism and ethnic tension due to its special geographicaİ character andhistorical background. The area is complicated, not only in terms of ethnic,national, and religious diversity, but it is also politically very complex.Turkey and Greece, both members of NATO and other Western organizations,have problems in their bilateral relations, particularly the long-standingCyprus question and minority issues. Bulgaria vvas the closest ally of theSoviet Union. Yugoslavia had been a leading member of the Non-AlignmentMovement. Albania vvas a self-isolated country, once the only Europeancountry outside CSCE, and also the only country that declared itself to beatheist.