Frans Paul van der Putten is a senior research fellow at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations ‘Clingendael’. His research covers the geopolitical consequences of China as an emerging major power, in particular in relation to the Chinese new silk road (One Belt One Road) initiative. At Clingendael he is also a coordinator for the institute’s geostrategic risk analyses for the private sector. Before joining Clingendael in 2007, Frans Paul van der Putten worked as a researcher at Nyenrode Business University. He was trained as a historian at Leiden University, where he obtained his master’s (1994) and PhD (2001) degrees.
Abstract
The geo-strategic role of the Balkans and Black Sea infrastructures and hubs
-The Balkans and Black Sea region occupies a central position within China’s new Silk Road (‘Belt and Road’) initiative, with regard to both maritime and land-based transport corridors between Asia & Europe
-China’s initiative aims to fundamentally transform the Eurasian continent, with a strong emphasis on infrastructure development and economic integration
-The long-term economic and geopolitical implications for the Balkans and Black Sea region are profound; recent developments are providing a preliminary insight into the potential longer-term outcomes of this process