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Begin New Search Topic Political and institutional effectiveness Political Geography Kosovo

1. Kosovo's EU candidate status: a goal within reach

Author:
Zephyr Dessus, Albana Rexha, Albana Merja, and Corina Stratulat
Publication Date:
06-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
European Policy Centre
Abstract:
Ever since its declaration of independence in 2008, Kosovo has made European integration one of its key foreign policy objectives. Having made headway over the past years in its efforts to draw nearer to the European Union – most recently by signing a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU – Kosovo is now eager to take the next step in its EU integration process: to apply for EU membership and receive candidate status. However, with five member states still unwilling to recognise its statehood, Kosovo finds itself in a unique and difficult position regarding its eligibility to advance towards the EU and eventually accede to the European Union.
Topic:
International Affairs and Political and institutional effectiveness
Political Geography:
Kosovo

2. The Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo - A Major Generator of Instability in the Region

Author:
Petyo Valkov
Publication Date:
09-2012
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Institute for Security and International Studies (ISIS)
Abstract:
In March 2007, after seven years of Kosovo being a United Nations protectorate, the UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari proposed independence. The United States supported this proposal but Russia categorically did not, nor, of course, did Serbia. The United States proposed a three-part plan to stabilize an independent Kosovo. First, all high government posts would be distributed based on religion and ethnicity, second, a new Constitution must specifically safeguard the rights of the Serbian minority and, third, a substantial peacekeeping force must be in place to protect the Serbs and the minorities. Notwithstanding the seven years of the UN protectorate, hundreds of Orthodox Christian churches have been destroyed and thousands of Serbs have left Kosovo. For example, before the UN took over there were 40,000 Serbs living in Priština compared with about a hundred today. In 1971 Kosovo was 75% Muslim compared to at least 92% today
Topic:
International Affairs and Political and institutional effectiveness
Political Geography:
Kosovo and Serbia