GEOPATOLOGIJA KOPNENE ZONE BEZBEDNOSTI

The Balkan Peninsula represents a space of pronounced geopolitical dynamism, shaped by its heterogeneous relief and transit position, which throughout history has led to frequent territorial fragmentation and consolidation. Serbia, as part of this region, has been exposed to the influence of major geopolitical actors, reflected in its territorial evolution from the 19th century to the present. Following the NATO intervention in 1999, Serbia has faced processes of territorial disintegration, particularly in the Ground Safety Zone. In this context, phenomena such as the attempt to incorporate Medveđa into the Albanian ethno-cultural space, the use of the term ”Preševo Valley”, the delimitation of the administrative line near Pančić’s Peak, and the formation of the Union of Albanian Municipalities represent elements of geopatology. These processes threaten Serbia’s territorial integrity and promote ethnocentric narratives that disregard the multiethnic character of the region. The term ”Preševo Valley” lacks scientific grounding in geomorphological, ethno-cultural, and functional characteristics, and instead serves as a tool for the political articulation of territorial claims. The use of such terms and symbolic structures may lead to regional destabilization and compromise security.