Expo 2027: Journalist from Albania “perspire” Serbian minister in Belgrade with Kosovo question

The issue opened after a journalist from Albania asked during the media conference where Kosovo was as an independent state. Serbia's Minister of Interior and Foreign Trade Jagoda Lazarević, who was present in the quality of the Commissioner for Expo 2027, reports Forbes1.

She declared that Kosovo will participate in Expo, but in the way Serbia plans it, adding that according to Belgrade's stance, Kosovo is Serbia's <x0mnomic province” and therefore will be present with it.

The minister also added that Ex is being held under the umbrella of the International Bureau of Exhibition (BIE) and that to become part of this organisation you must have a seat in the United Nations Organisation.

However, according to public data from the International Bureau of Exhibition (BIE), for membership in this organisation it is not necessary to be a member of the United Nations Organisation, and on the list of members of Kosovo as well.

In theory, this means that Kosovo can participate in Expo 2027 with its ward. But in practice, participation in the Expo is only being done at the invitation from the organising country, which in this case is Serbia.

Rules for Participation in Expo

Forbes Serbia requested explanation for procedures related to the participation of states, territories and organisations in the Expo 2027 exhibitions. It was also asked whether institutions from Pristina have ever registered to represent Kosovo with their ward in Belgrade during the 15 May period of August 15th of next year.

However, the International Bureau of Exhibition rules (BIE) are such that there is no application process. Attendance at the Expo is only at invitation.

The host country sends the invitation. This means that only those countries and territories that the host country wants to invite are available in Expo 2027.

Therefore, it is not difficult to conclude that Kosovo institutions have never been sent such an invitation.

The International Bureau of Exhibitions (BIE) has also clarified that this organisation has no role in the process of sending out membership invitations.

Has Kosovo complained?

From unofficial explanations, it turns out that Kosovo has had an interest in participating in Expo 2027, due next year in Belgrade.

According to these information, Kosovo institutions have addressed the headquarters of the International Bureau of Exhibition (BIE) in Paris to clarify why they cannot participate.

However, from this organisation, as it has become known, Kosovo institutions are directed only towards rules related to participation invitations.

One source explained the situation by comparison: it is as if Israel complained why Saudi Arabia does not invite it to an Expo, while the International Bureau of Exhibition (BIE) decided whether to participate.

Kosovo government has no answer

Questions related to interest in participating in Expo 2027 were also sent to the Government of Kosovo, the cabinet of Prime Minister Albin Kurti, respectively. Yet, until the moment the article is published, no answers have been received.

Phone contact with the government spokesman has also been attempted, but he did not answer the call. That is why it remained unclear whether Kosovo was really interested in presenting itself in Belgrade, as well as what response it received from the International Bureau of Exhibition (BIE) after addressing this organisation.

According to the organisers of Expo 2027, 138 states and territories have been confirmed so far for participating in this quarterly event.

As reported earlier, for 81 states and an international organisation, the organising country will cover turnout expenses, a practice that has been followed by other countries that have organised Expo.

Among the countries that have confirmed participation are the United States.