Page 16 - SE Outlook Regions 2022

Vetevendosje still enjoys a strong mandate from the 2021 general
election. The forecast also reflects an expected improvement in the
COVID-19 situation in the country and continued economic growth, as
the domestic vaccination programme helps suppress the virus. Kosovo
now has the highest vaccination rate in the Western Balkans. Kosovo
was the last country in the Western Balkans to start its vaccination
rollout but it made quick progress and ended 2021 with a low daily
number of new infections of below 10. While this has since increase, as
of mid January Kosovo had the lowest daily case count in the region.

Externally, Kosovo is facing a year in which reaching an EU-mediated
agreement with Serbia on the normalisation of relations with Belgrade
will again be the political focus.

After Kurti came to power, the talks with Serbia stalled and the
relationship deteriorated, as Kurti’s government re-imposed some
reciprocity measures on Serbia.

EU High Commissioner Josep Borrell has said that establishment of the
Association of Serbian Municipalities to which the Serbian side insists is
part of the Brussels agreements and must be implemented by the
Kosovan side.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but it is still not
recognised by Belgrade as a separate state. Five EU members also do
not recognise Kosovo. This effectively stymies its progress towards EU
accession until a resolution is reached with Serbia, which is already in
the midst of accession negotiations.

In December 2021, Kosovo informed the EU’s Stabilisation and
Association Council (SA Council) about its intention to apply for EU
membership, but its relationship with Belgrade needs to be normalised
first.

The SA Council members agreed on the need for Kosovo to continue
with reforms and for increased focus by all political actors,
strengthening of the administrative capacities and an effective
coordination structure within the Kosovan institutions and reiterated the
importance of visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens.

Kosovo’s government committed to enhance the rule of law, fight
against corruption and organised crime and respect for fundamental
rights, as well as to pursue public administration reform and economic
development, and support education and employment.

Problems lie ahead as Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu said in January
that Pristina will proceed with the vetting of the country’s judges and
prosecutors despite the EU’s objections. EU officials have discouraged
Kosovo from pursuing justice reforms according to the format used in
Albania which, they argued, may lead to so many dismissals courts and
prosecution offices become dysfunctional.

The first trial for war crimes committed by the former Kosovo Liberation
Army (KLA) during the independence war with Serbia in 1998-99 began
in The Hague on September 15, 2021 with former KLA member Sali

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