Hoti: Berlin Process, opportunities for Kosovo, all of the Western Balkans

LDK chairmanship member Avdullah Hoti thinks the Berlin Process is the possibility for Kosovo and all Western Balkan countries.

According to him, the Berlin Process for the first time lowered the leaders of the Western Balkans together by treating them equally, and this created a new dynamic in regional co-operation, with the only goal that these countries prepare for membership in the European Union.

Hoti adds that this process is enabling Kosovo to have equal representation in summits, as well as participation in projects like any other Western Balkan country.

However, the LDK's re-elected MP also talks about Kosovo's challenges during this process, sharing them as internal challenges, challenges to regional co-operation and challenges due to EU internal dynamics.

Complete Hoti Post:

The Importance of the Berlin Process for Western Balkan Countries

The Berlin Process for the first time brought the leaders of the Western Balkans down together, treating them equally. This created a new dynamic in regional co-operation, with the only goal that these countries prepare to join the European Union. Each annual summit has highlighted several specific issues, but the most important component is “Conservation Agency” in transport and energy, which was later expanded even in youth and the economy. Germany established the basis for fundamental rights. Then Austria focused on bilateral disputes, immigration and civil society. France dealt with professional training and exchange of young people. Italy focused on developing small and medium-sized enterprises.

Kosovo's profits in this process

This process is enabling Kosovo to have equal representation in summits, as well as participation in projects like any other Western Balkan country. In Berlin, Vienna and Paris, Kosovo was presented with a banner, but not in Trieste, which opens the way to return to practice. Kosovo joined the European Trans Transport Network (TEN-T). Kosovo is a signatory to the Regional Office for Youth Co-operation, and the deputy secretary general of this office is from Kosovo. Through the Berlin Process, Kosovo meets some of the obligations stemming from the SAA, in particular in terms of good neighbourly and regional co-operation. However, bilateral disputes with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are continuing to undermine the benefits Kosovo may have.

Kosovo's challenges during this process.

(i) Internal challenges: Internal political instability in Kosovo, in particular due to frequent elections, has avoided the focus of institutions from the European agenda and integration, including the Berlin Process. The politically weak institutions in the past two years have resulted in poor planning and co-ordination of Euro-integration policies. The Berlin process should be seen beyond infrastructure projects, as this process includes a wide range of issues that are integral part of the Berlin Process, such as bilateral disputes, political reforms and democratisation. Kosovo needs national strategy and broad consensus for this process to maximize benefits, both economic and political.

(i) The challenges of regional co-operation: Kosovo faces challenges in any regional co-operation, including co-operation within the Berlin Process. Regional co-operation usually hides bilateral disputes, and Kosovo suffers mostly because of disagreements with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. These disputes raised doubts about the success of the entire process. Likely because of these disputes, Kosovo is the only state that is part of the Berlin Process, but without any headquarters of regional organisations. The growing partnership between Albania and Serbia is causing Serbia to avoid resolving disputes with Kosovo. Kosovo should not be brought under the shadow of relations between Albania and Serbia.

(ii) Challenges due to internal EU dynamics: The EU is calling on Western Balkan countries to work together in resolving regional issues, namely normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia. But this kind of normalisation exceeds the Western Balkans, as Kosovo's co-operation with some of the EU countries that have not yet recognised Kosovo, two of which are Balkan countries