This book analyzes the foundations and means of overcoming the current crisis in the broader area of Southeast Europe. The contributions make proposals from both theoretical and empirical points of view and discuss the concept, determinants and policies of competitiveness in these countries. The financial crisis became a prolonged fiscal crisis, a bank confidence crisis, and economic recession, and the book discusses the European and national policies implemented to resolve it. It also investigates the internal conflicts generated by institutional arrangements and policy measures, both within the nation states and the eurozone. Economic competitiveness is a key topic for policymakers, as they have to secure economic growth and improve their populations’ standards of living. This volume sheds light on what constitutes economic competitiveness, as well as on the policies and economic and institutional structures that improve competitiveness.

Anastasios Karasavvoglou is Professor in economics, the President of the annual International Conference "The Economies of Balkan and Eastern Europe Countries in the changed world". He has published many books and papers regarding immigration, regional development and labour market.

Dimitrios Kyrkilis is Professor in Economic Development and Investments in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. His research interests are in International Business, International Economics and in Economic Development. He has published many books and papers.

Georgios Makris is Professor in Macroeconomic Theory and Policy. His research interests are in Income distribution theories, Fiscal and monetary policy, Transition economics, Theory of economic globalization.

Persefoni Polychronidou holds a PhD in Mathematics, has scientific interests in data analysis, in discrete transforms and realization of algorithms for fast processing data. She is assistant editorof the “International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research” and has published several papers regarding empirical economic data.