Musine Koklari Institute: Kosovo-Serbia economic co-operation in interest of peace, regional development

Economic co-operation between Kosovo and Serbia is in the interest of peace and regional development, according to the Institute for Social Policy, “Mousine Cocalari”, which today presented research “Improvement of Kosovo-Serbia”, prepared in co-operation with the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory from Belgrade.

Possible co-operation in the energy sector should be explored. Both Kosovo and Serbia must recognize the need for deepening co-operation in the energy sector, the need for long-term development and energy transition in line with the Green Agency, by engaging in exploring opportunities for expanding this co-operation”, said Ilir Deda, committed to preparing this report.

Free trade wrestling, defining the regional framework for implementation of Article 6 of the Road to Normalisation of Relations; Beating CEFTA decisions and abolishing double taxation and equal access to the labour market; there are some recommendations from this report. This document of proposals is based on the current state of regional agreements for trade and co-operation, as well as on the basic principles of the Brussels Agreement for Economic Relations between Kosovo and Serbia, as one of the key pillars towards the final agreement.

“Kosovo and Serbia must turn from opponents to partner of co-operation, working together and drafting a joint development plan for the four northern Kosovo municipalities, whether through the creation of free zone in northern Mitrovica or through the joint investment programme to begin its partnership in peace”, said Aleksandar Pavlovovic, co-versary of this research.

Speeding up the implementation of transport projects, such as speeding up work towards the railway connection and setting up a direct flight between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as starting a strategic discussion on the component of economies, were some of the recommendations.

After the presentation, representatives of the embassies of the United States of America, France, Great Britain, nongovernmental organisations, the media, and others discussed the submitted proposals and the possibilities for developing economic relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

The report has been compiled under the project “The Implementation of Article VI of Agreement on the Path to Normalization of Relations Between Kosovo and Serbia” supported by Peaceful Change Initiative as part of the “Amplification Plans for Equitable Development” project with the support of UK Aid.