Background Note:
THE FUTURE OF THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS WITHIN KOSOVO AND BETWEEN
KOSOVO AND SERBIA
This paper analyzed and depicted the process of reconciliation in
Kosovo and between Kosovo and Serbia and gave an overarching view of the
progress, challenges, and opportunities that both countries have. Furthermore,
it scanned the opportunities that both countries could gain concerning the
reconciliation through the process of the dialogue.
Background Note:
KOSOVO’S INHERITED INTERNATIONAL DEBT
This paper analysis was oriented on
Kosovo’s inherited international debt, and it focused on the obligations that
Kosovo has. This paper aimed to compare the experiences of other former
Yugoslav countries while defining the foreign creditors and related amounts. It
covered four specific issues; it began with (I) the internal source and scope
of Kosovo’s obligation to comply with the repayment of its inherited international
debts; (II) explored the experience of the other former Yugoslav countries;
(III) defined the foreign creditors and measured or calculated the scope of
inherited debt, including, as applicable, both the paid and remaining amounts.
The Paper ended with section IV, which set out conclusions and recommendations.
Background Note:
REPARATIONS FOR WAR CRIMES COMMITTED IN
KOSOVO IN THE LIGHT OF THE FUTURE COMPREHENSIVE LEGALLY-BINDING AGREEMENT
BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA
This paper explored the magnitude of
damage and destruction caused by the authorities of the Republic of Serbia and,
as applicable, former The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in the territory of
Kosovo, ensuing from the war crimes and other related atrocities committed by
the said authorities. The methodology was primarily based on authoritative
data, qualitative and quantitative, produced and published by neutral mediums
or institutionalized forums, judicial (e.g., ICTY) and otherwise (e.g., Human
Rights Watch) that have exhibited a specifically high degree of objectivity in
establishing and presenting them pertinent facts.
This paper aimed to highlight the legal
status of enterprises in the former Yugoslavia and also the relevance of the
relations between the constituent units of the Socialist Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia (SFRY).In this context, the specific case which was analysed was the
socially-owned enterprise (SOE) Trepça in Kosovo. Trepça was the largest
socially owned enterprise in Kosovo and a significant exporter and source of
foreign exchange earning in Yugoslavia. It was a large industrial,
metallurgical and chemical complex based in Kosovo (though it also had some
assets in other parts of Yugoslavia). At its height in the early 1980s, it
employed some 22,000 people though the employment level was gradually reduced
during the 1980s and later years.
Background Note:
SERBIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE IN KOSOVO
The cultural heritage of a country is
the product of all the various peoples who have inhabited the land from
prehistory to modern times. It is, therefore, as a rule, varied and diverse,
reflecting the ethnic character of its creators. This paper dealt with the
Serbian cultural heritage (henceforth, SRCH) in Kosovo and how this could be
addressed in the context of an eventual agreement between Kosovo and Serbia on
the normalization of their relations. The aim of this paper was so that it
could serve as a guide to the nexus of complex and sensitive issues that were
evoked by the title and which constitute an essential ingredient of the Kosovo
reality today.
THE CLAIMS OF SERBIA REGARDING 'INVESTMENTS' FROM SERBIAN SOCIALLY OWNED ENTERPRISES IN KOSOVO AFTER 1999 IN THE CONTEXT OF AN EVENTUAL 'GRAND FINALE'
This paper has analyzed the issue of publicly owned enterprises and socially owned enterprises in light of the claims made above. Moreover it has argued that investments made during the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s existence and those made before 1999 belong to the respective states where those assets and companies are located; secondly, all Serbia’s state property as a successor state of the SFRY including publicly owned enterprises’ assets located in Kosovo shall pass to Kosovo as a successor state; thirdly, socially owned enterprises which are headquartered in one country but have assets in another country, should be exchanged on an equitable the basis or compensated by the respective states; and finally, this paper did propose mechanisms for resolving claims made by the negotiating parties as well as creditors’ claims over publicly owned enterprises and socially owned enterprises.
Background Note:
BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA REGARDING THE ENERGY SECTOR
This Background Note has investigated thoroughly the agreements on the energy and other fields that derivate from the 2011-2018 Kosovo- Serbia dialogue. In addition to that, it has given an analysis of the way forward of the dialogue, especially related to the energy and other agreements.
Background Note:
THE ISSUE OF PENSION AND DISABILITY FUND OF KOSOVO IN THE CONTEXT OF AN EVENTUAL 'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA
In this study, the aim was to estimate the potential debt to contributory pensioners as a prerequisite for claiming compensation from The Republic of Serbia, which unlawfully abolished and suspended the payment of pension benefits to Albanian and Non-Serb contributory pensioners in Kosova.
Background Note:
THE ISSUE OF STATE SUCCESSION IN THE LIGHT OF AN EVENTUAL 'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIAState succession can occur in a number of different contexts, including the cession or yielding of territory (for example, the cession of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to The People's Republic of China in 1997), the incorporation of one state into another (for example, the incorporation of the German Democratic Republic into the Federal Republic of Germany in 1990), the merger of two states (for example, the union of North and South Yemen in 1990), the complete dissolution of a state (as occurred with the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991-92), and the secession of part of a state from an existing state, whether consensually (for example, the secession of South Sudan from Sudan in 2011) or non-consensually (as with the secession of Bangladesh [East Pakistan] from Pakistan in 1971). This project dealt with the case of state succession in the former Yugoslavia, with special emphasis on Kosovo.
Background Note:
THE ISSUE OF DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE CONTEXT OF AN EVENTUAL 'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA
This project analyzed the issue of displaced persons during and after the war in Kosovo, by providing factors that influenced the displacement of persons inside and outside of Kosovo. It further presented the engagement of Kosovo and international institutions in addressing this issue, the budget spent on projects regarding displaced persons by internal and international donors, as well as Kosovo’s position in the negotiation process of dialogue in this regard.
Background Note:
THE ISSUE OF MISSING PERSONS IN THE CONTEXT OF AN EVENTUAL 'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA
This paper has outlined the reasons and the arguments that the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has to include in the agenda the issue of missing persons during the armed conflict of 1998-1999 and its aftermath. The aim of this project was to provide information on the background of armed conflict in Kosovo, international and national legal framework, and operating mechanisms in Kosovo and their input and policy on the issue of missing persons.
Poll:
VOX POPULI ON THE 'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA (Volume II)
Following the first survey, RIDEA Institute conducted a second survey, Vox Populi on the ‘Grand Finale’ between Kosovo and Serbia (Volume II) from 21-28 May 2019. Thus, the main objective of the survey was to understand more in-depth the motives and the attitudes of the citizens regarding the scenarios on the eventual Final Deal between Kosovo and Serbia. The aim of this survey was to understand the situational factors that impact public support, or the lack of support, for different scenarios on the so-called ‘grand finale’.
Poll:
VOX POPULI ON THE
'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA (Volume I)
The aim of this survey was to understand the
perceptions and attitudes of citizens (Vox Populi) regarding the scenarios on
the 'grand finale' between Kosovo and Serbia. The dialogue between Kosovo and
Serbia has entered its final phase and a number of eventual scenarios have been
depicted in various studies and debates. Thus, one other objective of the
survey was to understand the public support, or perhaps lack of support, for
different scenarios for the eventual Final Deal between Kosovo and Serbia.
Research Project:
SCENARIOS
FOR THE 'GRAND FINALE' BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA
The research paper has discussed the on-going
dialogue, including achievements and failures, preparations for the final stage
of the dialogue and outlined the main eventual scenarios,
including some sub-variants. Moreover, this research paper analysis different
scenarios related to the result of the future process.
Research Project:
Dismantling/deconstructing
the main eventual scenarios for the ‘historic’ deal between Kosovo and Serbia
The objective of this project (including the research paper and the
consultation process) was to provide input to the establishment of a platform for
Kosovo, as a basis for a restart of the dialogue with Serbia. In other words,
to facilitate the broadest possible consensus for a new platform/mandate for
Kosovo’s institutions, in this context. The aim was therefore for the project to
be fully implemented before a restart of the dialogue, although some of the
outreach activities might go beyond this time frame.
Policy Assessment:
Assessment Report of Curricula of Law Faculties in Kosovo
The aim of the report was to assess the current state of the
affairs in the legal education in public and private universities in Kosovo,
focusing primarily on the role of the practice in the study programs offered at
the bachelor level, and provide recommendations to strengthen the practical
skills of the graduates joining the legal professions, in line with the good
practices in European countries.
The screening of legal education includes a review of the law
curricula provided by the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) offering legal
education and the factual situation qualitatively assessed based on the
information collected during the fieldwork from interviewees. The review of
the alignment of law curricula with the requirements for becoming a member of
the free legal professions-lawyers, notaries, private enforcement agents,
mediators, bankruptcy administrators in Kosovo intends to explore the need for
potential changes of these curricula and/or for the reform of the Bar Exam in
Kosovo.
Policy Paper:
Kosovo Security Force (KSF): Past, Present and It's Future
There are two objectives that this project was intended to achieve:
First, to try identifying the political and security challenges ahead that
Kosovo might encounter in its path towards changing the mission and duties of
the KSF, or of a possibility of transforming immediately the KSF into KAF
through constitutional changes. Then, the second objective was to identify the
possible legal and constitutional challenges that this process might encounter
during the implementation stage. Therefore, if we link both these purposes it
could be summed up as follows: the final purpose of this project will be to
bring a new perspective upon identification through an in-depth analytical,
political and academic discussion the main challenges that lay ahead for
changing the mission and duties of the KSF or for transforming the KSF into
KAF. Additionally, to identify the possible policies of how to cope with these
challenges.
Policy-oriented Project:
A Series of Roundtables in the Main Regions of Kosovo
In each of the seven regions of Kosovo at least a single
roundtable/meeting with citizens, business sector and academia was carried
out regarding visa liberalization issue and the benefits from the implementation
of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) for Kosovo’s economy.
The project aimed to: provide the general public and interested
stakeholders with information on what SAA for Kosovo is and what are the
benefits; support Kosovo’s institutions to manage public expectations in
Kosovo-EU relations. In short, the idea was to raise awareness amongst Kosovo
citizens on different aspects of the European integration process, particularly
on the visa liberalization process and the SAA.
Research Project:
Political Parties in the Western Balkans
This research project dealt with the political ideology of
political parties in various countries of the Western Balkans.
Policy Paper:
Building the case for
Kosovo’s application for membership in the EU
To date, Kosovo is not
recognized by five EU member-states. Nonetheless, on 1 April 2016, the
Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Kosovo entered
into force. The SAA between Kosovo and EU foresees, among others, the creation
of a free trade zone between the EU and Kosovo; approximation of Kosovo law to
the EU Acquis; fight against corruption and organized crime. The successful
implementation of the SAA is the first step toward joining the EU for Western
Balkan countries. In Kosovo’s case, it establishes a contractual relationship
with the EU despite the non-recognition by five EU member-states of its
independence. This project has assessed the enlargement policy of the EU
towards Kosovo and whether or not Kosovo can apply for EU membership in light
of the particular circumstances of its case. It relied on the EU enlargement
policy and the relevant treaties regulating this field.
Policy Paper:
EU Programmes: Access
Granted
Kosovo signed the
Framework Agreement with the EU for Access to the EU programmes. Following the
signature and entry into force of such agreement, Kosovo needs to identify
specific programmes it wants to participate and apply for such programmes. This
paper attempted to provide a potential list of programmes that Kosovo should
consider applying, in order to get the best of it, for its citizens.
Public Opinion Poll:
Public Opinion
Perception of European Integration
The aim of this survey
was to: a) identify the perception of the public opinion on the European integration
process; b) identify the perception of the public opinion on the SAA
(Stabilization and Association Agreement); and c) identify the perception of
the public opinion on the visa liberalization process. The opinion poll was
conducted based on a reliable and credible research methodology and the
quantity data’s obtained from the research were processed through SPSS. The
survey was conducted on a sample of 1000 respondents in 7 main regions of
Kosovo. The sample was chosen through simple proportional sampling.
Impact and Summative
Evaluation:
Assessment of the World Bank project in Kosovo
The evaluation findings
made qualified statements on the question of if/ how far the project has
achieved its objectives as per the results framework and assess impact through
appropriate and innovative methods. The evaluation also has drawn the future use
of the findings/learnings for similar interventions in Kosovo and wider, in the
context of youth development programming.
Policy Assessment:
Capacity Assessment of
Civil Servants in Kosovo’s Government involved in Policy Planning and European
Integration Processes
This assessment which
was supported by an EU-project offered the degree and type of competence of
civil servants involved in the governmental process of policy planning and
coordination and European integration processes. At the same time, this study
identified training needs for the civil servants which were as a target group
of this assessment.
Training:
Provision of training
on various issues related to marketing, communications, economy, finance
The main task within
this project was to design the training curricula and to deliver training for
the young entrepreneurs in different parts of Kosovo, in the framework of a
supported project by World Bank. The topics of these trainings were related to
communication strategies, marketing, business, finance and economy, in general.
Research and
Policy-oriented Project:
Eventual accession of
Kosovo at United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO): Challenges and Opportunities
Within the framework of
a project supported by the British Council, the chief objective here was to
strengthen the involvement and the role of civil society and academia in the
policy-making process as relates to the process of enhancing the accession of
Kosovo into various international agencies and organizations.
Policy Assessment:
Assessment of the impact
of the Stabilization and Association Agreement on Kosovo’s society and its
institutional structures
The rationale behind
this project was linked with the fact that the Stabilization and Association
Agreement (SAA) is the first document which establishes concrete contractual
relations between the European Union (EU) and Kosovo. As with other countries
in the region of the Western Balkans, similarly in the case of Kosovo, the SAA
will have an impact on the daily life of Kosovo’s citizens and also on the
institutional structures of Kosovo. Therefore, this project has assessed the
benefits and other implications that the implementation of the SAA might have for
Kosovo and its citizens.
Policy and Position
Papers:
Enhancing and
Facilitating Kosovo’s Membership with International Organizations: Cases of
Venice Commission and Council of Europe (CoE)
This project in
particular intended to address the issue of enhancing and facilitating Kosovo’s
membership at some international organizations. In concrete terms, this project
studied the necessity of Kosovo's membership to Venice Commission and it also
attempted to study and explain the need for Kosovo’s membership to CoE as means
to enable EU integration and other related processes.
Training Needs
Assessment:
Training Needs Analysis
for arbitrators of the Kosovo Permanent Tribunal of Arbitration
This study evaluated the
further training needs of arbitrators serving within the list of Kosovo
Permanent Tribunal of Arbitration (PTA). In addition, it has paid attention to
the legal framework of arbitration in Kosovo and the present relations of the
PTA with the business sector. This assessment identified two categories of
training which are needed for the PTA arbitrators, and which are dubbed as:
comprehensive and specific training.
Policy-oriented Project:
Seminar on Regional
Cooperation and Publication of the Special Issue of the Journal of European and
International Affairs (JEIA)
This project in
particular intended to address the issue of enhancing and facilitating Kosovo’s
membership at some international organizations. In concrete terms, this project
studied the necessity of Kosovo's membership to Venice Commission and it also
attempted to study and explain the need for Kosovo’s membership to CoE as means
to enable EU integration and other related processes.
Research and Academic
Project:
Establishing a mini
academic library at the Research Institute of Development and European Affairs
(RIDEA)
In general, one can note
a substantial lack of relevant scholarly literature for social sciences
(political science, European studies, international relations, psychology,
etc.) in the Albanian language. In other words, in order to conduct proper research
in social sciences in Kosovo, it is inescapably relevant to consult the
pertinent scholarly literature in the English language. However, the scholarly
literature in the English language in Kosovo, in particular in the field of social
sciences is scarce. Considering this state of affairs through this project it
was established a mini or small academic library with relevant scholarly
literature in the field of social sciences in the English language. The library is
based at RIDEA premises, and it is opened and able to be accessed by not only
RIDEA’s staff, but also the wider public, especially the academic and student
communities.
Research and
Policy-oriented Project:
Identifying challenges,
opportunities and strategies for the possible negotiation and ratification
process of the Stabilization and Association Agreement between Kosovo and the
European Union
The current project
consisted of an overall objective. In addition, it comprised some other sub-objectives.
Thus, the overall objective was to identify the challenges ahead that Kosovo
(as a sui-generis case) might encounter in its path towards SAA and its
ratification process. In addition, the first sub-objective was related to the
rationale of assisting Kosovo’s government (in particular to the Ministry of
European Integration) in drafting a policy document related to the challenges
during the negotiating and ratification stages of the SAA. Furthermore, the
second sub-objective was linked with an idea of strengthening the involvement
and the role of civil society in the policy-making process as relates the
processes of European integration of Kosovo.
Policy Project:
Post-supervised
independence: International Recognition of Kosovo
This project studied the
political momentum which has been created after the end of Kosovo’s supervised
independence in relation to the further international recognition of Kosovo.
Research and Academic
Project:
Launching an Academic
Journal of Development and European Affairs
This journal is a
peer-reviewed journal. It aims to publish cutting-edge articles on European, as
well as broader international, affairs, in particular as they relate to the
theme of Kosovo and the Balkans peninsula. The first issue of the Journal
covered the issue of consolidating Kosovo’s statehood in its internal and
external dimension. The first issue was published in January 2013.
Policy and
Research-oriented Project:
The State of Research in
Kosovo
This project
investigated the present state of research in Kosovo, including problems and
deficiencies, as well as ways for improvement.
Policy and
Research-oriented Project:
Consolidating Kosovo’s
Statehood: Processes, Problems, and Perspectives
Through this project,
RIDEA in cooperation with the Centre for International Studies (University of
Oxford) has published a study/policy paper related to the further consolidation
of Kosovo’s statehood. This study embraced the internal and external dimension
of consolidating further the statehood of Kosovo.
Research Project:
Launching and Deploying
EULEX mission in Kosovo: Does the compromised deployment undermine the EULEX
mission in Kosovo?
International Academic
Conference:
Consolidating Kosovo’s
Statehood: Processes, Problems, and Perspectives. This event was organized by
RIDEA in cooperation with the Centre for International Studies (Oxford
University) and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of
Kosovo).
Policy and
Research-oriented Project:
Integration of the Serb Community in Kosovo Case Study: Political Institutions and Education System.
International Academic
Conference:
‘EU and the Western
Balkans in retrospective and perspective: Between Limbo and Enlargement
Fatigue’. The conference was organized by RIDEA in cooperation with the Centre
for EU Studies (Ghent University), the European University of Tirana and the
Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence (University of Manchester).
International Academic
Conference:
What post-ICJ advisory
opinion on Kosovo's independence? Which should be the position of Kosovo?
Organized by RIDEA in cooperation with the Centre for EU Studies (Ghent
University)
The principal aim of the
conference was to identify the possible challenges that Kosovo and its
institutions might encounter after the ICJ advisory opinion on Kosovo’s
independence. A further aim was to provide future direction, in the sense of
identification of potential policies to cope with the challenges ahead that
Kosovo institutions might encounter after this adjudication.
A Legal Reform Project:
A Study on the Conflict
of Laws within the competence of the Ministry of Justice (Republic of Kosovo).
A Legal Reform Project:
An analysis of existing
legal dictionaries and glossaries in the Albanian language
This assessment/report
offered a presentation and analysis of dictionaries and glossaries with a legal
component that is available in the Albanian language. The focus has been both on
dictionaries containing general legal terminology and those with a narrow scope,
focusing on EU terminology. Acquis
For more information
about our past projects, please visit the publications section.