The common characteristics of states in the region are: inadequate efficiency among state institutions; insufficient economic stability; high percentage of unemployment, with particularly worrying unemployment rates among young people; low quality of citizens' lives; significant levels of organised crime; problems with corruption at all levels of government; symbiosis of large businesses and political stakeholders; and unresolved problems from the past. Interdependence and complexity of the aforementioned security challenges overwhelms the ability of single countries of the region to manage them effectively. Therefore, the need for the acceptance of a so called regional approach which minimizes or removes threats through cooperation and joint action, becomes even more necessary. By continuing these trends, the Balkans region will join the community of developed democratic states, whose relations are dominated by trust, good neighbourhood policy and cooperation. Looking globally, the European and regional security environment mostly depends on capabilities to positively direct political and security processes in this area. It seems that in spite of all efforts made so far, Balkan countries have to do much more in the field of protection from asymmetric threats than they do today.