Behgjet Pacolli's Challenges

In this case, the head of Kosovo diplomacy referred to the role and importance of including civil society in this case; capitalisation of the Kosovo Republic recognition process; reforms taking place in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, economic diplomacy; and the final phase of dialogue with Serbia.

As far as the first point goes, Minister Pacolli has praised the current contribution of civil society to foreign policy and in all stages of consolidation of the state of Kosovo, stressing the importance that their involvement and engagement will have in the future.

Speaking on the prosperity and dynamics of the recognition process, Minister Pacolli has said that “Kosovo within its ten-year existence as an Independent and Sovereign state has taken major steps in this direction, increasing the number of recognitions to 117”, but has also cited challenges, respectively, changing circumstances in international policy and meeting with an increasingly aggressive campaign on the part of Serbia.

On the same topic, he has considered it important, so that Kosovo will focus in two directions: The first: to work with countries, which have recognised Kosovo and further advanced relations between the two countries, and in parallel to this to work on securing new recognitions.

The reform already launched at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been another topic on which Minister Pacolli has stopped in his presentation. In this regard, he has mentioned the new Law for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the need to maintain balance between political influence and career service diplomats. On the other hand, he also mentioned the possibility of including a partner countries' Diplomat Academy to reevaluate the Carrias. An important pillar in Kosovo's foreign policy, Minister Pacolli has also listed economic diplomacy through which foreign investment could be increased in Kosovo, as well as creating new opportunities for local businesses in relation to other states.

As for the final phase of dialogue with Serbia and the achievement of a mandatory legal agreement, Foreign Minister Pacolli has said this process should be based on three elements: Have a clear time frame; be thematic and end with mutual recognition between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. According to Kosovo's top diplomat, the Ahtisaari Plan should be seen as the maximum concessions made by Kosovo.

The chairman of the Commission for Foreign Affairs, Diaspotes and Strategic Investments, Mrs. Vjosa Osmani, members of this Commission, representatives from the presidency, a part of ambassadors from the Diplomat Corps accredited in Pristina, representatives of various organisations from Civil Society, and foreign policy experts.