Movements for Independence: Is Kosovo a success story?

Kosovo is an example of success, though not yet complete, of moves for independence, was said at a discussion at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. In the discussion held on Friday in Washington, where the study was released summarized in the book “The Movements for Independence and the Consequences of Tyre”, analysts stressed that Kosovo succeeded in becoming independent with the help of great powers. However, according to them, Kosovo's success is not complete because it still faces major economic and political challenges. Fellow Festim Gashi brings details:

Since 1945 there have been 464 self-rule movements in 120 countries, without including decolonisation movements, according to a study by Pennsylvania University quoted by Denise Natali, Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Conflicts and Stabilisation Operations at the State Department. According to the study, only half of these movements have followed a specific policy, and on average, their efforts last about 30 years before they become inactive.

Denise Natalie, State Bureau for Conflicts and Stabilisation Operations (Clip 11 9:50:30)

And only a small group has achieved the goal of independence. A number have resulted from violence and often from long civil wars. For these moves, data shows that they have faced many difficulties in achieving positive results as independent countries”.

One of these examples of success, according to authors of a study by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, is Kosovo. In a summary study in the book The Movement for Independence and the Consequences of Tyre, it is said that one of the reasons for Kosovo's success is the support it had of great powers.

Kosovo has had many international support. Although Kosovo has not joined the UN, it has benefited from the positive goals of various countries from Europe, the United States and other regions of the world. And I think a new independent state is more likely to have progress in a world in which there are many allies and countries on which to rely”, Jon B said. Altman, one of the authors of the study.

But, Kosovo is not a full success story, says Daniel Cerwer, author of the Kosovo study chapter. He says Kosovo is a success story in progress, because it still has many problems which it has to address in the near future:

It (Kosovo) has some problems with the lack of order in parliament and has major problems with corruption and with judicial independence. But these major problems are present throughout the Balkans. Kosovo has a long road ahead. Recently, she has taken some major steps back with the setting of tariffs to Serbia, has offended her ally America. Kosovo faces numerous problems, but these are problems of a sovereign state. Although I don't like tariffs, I understand the prime minister's desire to exercise the power of sovereignty”, Mr. Cerwer says.

Research by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies highlights the importance of membership of new independent countries in international institutions and organisations like the UN, because they provide access to economic and institutional development programmes. Kosovo, although accepted by 116 countries in the world, is still not a member of the UN and has not fully consolidated its status in the international arena. On this issue, analyst Daniel Serwer says Kosovo's membership in the UN is still distant and that recognition from Serbia is most important at the moment:

I think it is important for Kosovo to be accepted by Serbia and to end the Serbian campaign against UN membership and other international organisations. But, Kosovo's membership in the UN does not depend on Serbia, but on Russia. For Kosovo's membership in the UN, an agreement between the United States and Russia will be needed, and I think that cannot be achieved now. Kosovo's membership in the UN is very important, but I do not see it on the horizon at this moment. What I would like to see is a diplomatic relationship between Serbia and Kosovo, an end to Serbia's international campaign against Kosovo, but I don't think we can see Pristina's membership in the UN in a year or two. ”

No UN membership is related to one country's sovereignty, notes Peter Galbraith, former ambassador of the United States to Croatia. According to him, Kosovo's current problems as lack of economic development, poverty and hostile relations with Serbia are not the main test of its independence's success:

“Prova, in terms of independence, is Kosovo in better condition now as an independent state or when it was part of Serbia or old Yugoslavia? And the answer is clear, she's better today. Gaining independence does not mean that you will immediately become a country like Norway, but it is a step and other things must be handled by the people of Kosovo”.

Not all countries that gain independence after long and violent efforts are successful as independent countries, analysts said in the discussion held by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. According to them, Kosovo was successful in efforts to become a sovereign and independent country, but its sovereignty is not yet complete. It still relies on the presence of Natos, international aid powers and faces major economic and political challenges. This discussion also discussed other independence movements in other parts of the world. / VoA/