Havenier: Kosovo missed several opportunities for one year, KiE membership and the path towards EU depends on partners, they should see effort

Kosovo, the Jubilar anniversary finds with uncertainty and dilemmas, which challenge every “raised”, but also with achievement and victory, giving it the right to boast.

The shadow that feared to follow him disappeared just six days before the anniversary: on February 11th, after nearly a year with institutions on duty, Kosovo underised their new composition.

The blockade period was not just a procedural delay but a vacuum that paralysed decision - making, narrowed the space for action, and left the state waiting for itself.

Procrastination was not even random.

In the past 18 years, political resentments, internal clashes and selective interpretations of rules created by the political class itself often turned important processes into lost opportunities.

From failure to join the Council of Europe to suspend the Strategic Dialogue with the US, Kosovo paid the price of internal conflict more than external opposition.

But not for lack of skill.

In the same 18 years, the country testified that it can build institutions and achieve results from economic growth to lower unemployment when there is coordination and the will to act on time.

It is recognised by over 120 countries, is part of various international organisations, there is space in sports, culture and art evidence that it can compete and affirm even outside borders.

In the words of former US Ambassador to Pristina Jeffrey Hovenier, Kosovo citizens “deserve to be commended and praised for the remarkable progress they have made in establishing and consolidating their sovereign and independent state”.

“Kosovo is no longer a state of transition; rather, it is an independent and successful democratic state”, says Havener of Radio Free Europe.

But now, as an 18-year-old in a world where geopolitical circumstances change quickly and allies are not always patient, Kosovo faces clear expectations and must carefully rank its next steps.

Integration, economy, governance...

Hovenier says the country's priorities for years to come can be divided into three categories, starting from integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

He estimates that Kosovo has made real progress in this direction, but that there is still work to be done.

Kosovo's “Membership in the Council of Europe and progress on the road to the European Union and NATO depend on key partners, who should see reliable and responsible efforts to respond positively to the requirements for progress in specific areas”, says Havener.

In this context, he underlines the importance of meeting the obligations Kosovo has received under the dialogue for normalising relations with Serbia, mediated by the EU.

Second, Havenier cites economic growth and development.

It directly links Kosovo's stability and long-term success with its ability to build an economy that generates real prosperity and opportunity for citizens.

It acknowledges visible progress has been achieved, but underlines that this is not enough.

According to him, the country must do more for attracting foreign investment and creating conditions for the private sector to compete successfully in the global market.

A increased focus on regional growth and economic development, as well as government policies that respond to the legitimate demands of the business community, would contribute to this necessary progress”, the former American ambassador says.

As a third priority, it cites the consolidation of democratic institutions and effective governance, noting that “Kosovo has not benefited from the nearly one year period of interim governance”.

“Lost several options”, says Havener.

His messages also complement Wolfgang Petritsch, former special envoy of the European Union for Kosovo.

He appreciates achievements in the socioeconomic plan, but says they are still far from the level that would ensure long-term stability.

According to him, the real challenge is to create conditions for the new generation to see the future in the country, not abroad.

Many Kosovars are forced to seek their welfare abroad”, says Petritsch.

He expects an ambitious economic strategy, harmonised with the European Union agenda, for sovereign autonomy, from the new Kosovo government.

One of Petritsch's strongest warnings is also related to what he calls the “end of the transatlantic era”.

According to him, this has direct implications for Kosovo's report to the United States, which it describes as “crimer and the country's long-term protector and defence”.

When Kurdish freedom fighters are abandoned by the US in Iraq, or when Palestinians are farther than ever from their state, we should remind ourselves that the United States and Europe went to war to ensure Kosovo's survival and its final independence”, Petritsch says.

This, according to him, contains a lesson and an obligation for Kosovo: to become a respected member of the community of European democratic states.

In its assessment, Kosovo must sincerely engage with minorities, especially with the Serb community in the north, and after a long period of democratic uncertainty, have a functional and effective government.

This would turn Kosovo into an adult European state”, Petritsch says.

E, international perspective for Kosovo challenges is completed by former senior official NATO, Jamie Shea.

He says the new government in Pristina must regain US confidence and its European partners, who, in exchange, must work harder to ensure full recognition of Kosovo and secure its membership in international organisations.

Clear strategies and more effective international public diplomacy are needed to argue NATO and EU membership”, says Shea.

Within the country, says Shea, Kosovo's new government should give the Serb community a degree of local governance, under the Constitution of Kosovo, preventing it from treating it as a fifth <x0-cyloin”.

Your girlfriend works better than your “tightening is over, Shaa.