Is Kosovo ready for Open Balkans? Experts With Various Opinions

Kosovo's Oda of Afarism Chairman Skender Krasniqi says they oppose this regional co-operation, taking into account the major obstacles Kosovo faces constantly for implementing previously signed agreements.

He says they have asked Albania and Northern Macedonia to analyse their decision to be part of this initiative, reminding them that there is a state that does not recognise the Republic of Kosovo, creating constant barriers and difficulties.

Afarism's “Oda thinks that at the moment Kosovo is unprepared to make an additional opening compared to previous openings. Because during this time Kosovo's institutions have not been working enough to prepare and strengthen, it means having a legal and business infrastructure, and the state, to cope with new approaches that are infected by the Balkans... We have suffered heavy hits from CEFTA, the SAA, the agreement with Turkey, and this fourth will hit him even more. For this, we think that at this time we are unprepared as institutions and business is unprepared to have openings, and we have asked for understanding both from Tirana and Skopje to help us in this direction”, he says.

Kosovo Economic House Chairman Berat Rukiqi says Kosovo already meets what aims to reach “Open Balkan”, so it does not see the latter's participation in this regional co-operation necessary.

He believes that this initiative is political and that he has also lost the economic framework he would have to have. Until it says politics has to find a way to eliminate barriers.

The past “has taught us to be skeptical of such initiatives because politics has always dominated the economic agenda, that of removing barriers, and that makes us careful. That, however, has become political and has lost that economic cootation as it should have been... This subject is out of the question of what was supposed to be achieved. It is a political theme for which political activists should find answers either {Open Balkan08), or the common market within the Berlin Process, or in CEFTA mechanisms, the way to remove barriers between Balkan countries and have free trade as it should, and have conditions for foreign investment in order to be attractive and create new jobs. Otherwise, for now, this is within a political discussion, which does not help the economic aspect”, Rukiqiri tells Kosovas.

But otherwise does former OEK leader Safet Gerjaliu. He in a proposal for Kosova Prees says rejection policy does not do Kosovo honour and its journey towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

Nevertheless, he says all possible barriers must be removed so that all Western Balkan states are equal, as part of the agreement.

“Co-ordinated targets with the United States and activities coordinated with European friendly states leave no room for hesitation. We need to be active, we need to be convincing and to speak with concrete and nonpolitical languages and I believe that in this direction Kosovo has adults because the rejection policy does not do Kosovo honor and its journey towards Euro-Atlantic integration”, he says.

We remember that Albania, Northern Macedonia and Serbia have finalised the regional co-operation agreement “Open Balkan”. The upcoming meeting of leaders of these states is expected to take place in the autumn.