EU offers economic prospects, Kosovo does not exploit

During this week in Sofia, Bulgaria, the European Union Summit for Western Balkan countries has been held, where through a joint statement, commitment and determination for the region's European future has been confirmed.

This summit has also concluded its commitment to deepening cooperation in various fields, as is the economic aspect.

Professor Gazmend Qorray, legalising the Kosovo Economy and the European Union in the Economics Faculty, tells Radio Free Europe to benefit from the means and opportunities the European Union offers, it should freeze its capacity.

I think every European Union summit held for the Western Balkans is welcome because it sends messages that the European Union has plans for the Western Balkans. There are also promises of development, of investments in infrastructure and various projects, but one problem is how much we'll know we'll use those tools and the possibilities the European Union offers, says Qorray.

The European Union through the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (MSA), Qorray says, has drawn up opportunities for free trade, but Kosovo according to him must analyse what benefits it has made of what the EU has so far provided.

He says Kosovo has not benefited much from the SAA, and this is a message that needs to be worked more.

Kosovo must freeze capacity. If we have not done enough so far to build capacity and invite from the European Union Summit that was held this week in Sofia. It is an important message for the future for those now offered by the EU”, says Qorray.

Under the European Union Summit for Western Balkan countries held in Sofia, various economic forums were organised.

At the “investment perspective forum, the Western Balkans” was also the Minister of Economic Development in the Government of Kosovo, Valdrin Luka.

According to a report by this ministry, Luka has presented the possibilities Kosovo offers in various sectors, with a focus on energy, mining and information technology.

Luka has estimated that the integration of a common energy market remains the main challenge in the country.

Kosovo, being among the Western Balkan countries, has played a key role in connecting countries. Investments in road infrastructure, railway and now in telecommunications that Kosovo has implemented and is accomplishing, make the region more interconnected and more attractive for foreign investment”, Luka has said.

Meanwhile, Professor Gazmend Qorray says it is good news when promised for the Balkans, but according to him, the process must be divided individually.

“All Balkan countries have visa liberalisation, and Kosovo is the only country in the Balkans that does not have it, and this is the main obstacle to businesses and all other categories. Also, the obstacle is the limited competitiveness of businesses that cannot afford better access to European markets”.

My message is that if we look at things individually, not to say it's good news for the Balkans and it applies to us. The problem is that they get it individually, so it doesn't mean they all get the same. It benefits those who have more efficient institutions and more seriously approach the process”, says Qorray.

The World Economic Forum in which Kosovo is represented by Deputy Prime Minister Behgjet Pacolli is also held at the summit in Sofia. He had stressed that regional co-operation in the Western Balkans is key to exploiting the region's economic potential.

However, according to him, bilateral differences at the political level still remain an obstacle.

International mechanisms have seen regional co-operation as a must for the stability of the Western Balkans.

The European Union has repeatedly urged Western Balkan countries to develop joint projects, with European standards, in the areas of road infrastructure, railways, but also customs, in order to facilitate the circulation of people and goods.