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    February 16, 2012

Challenges Remain for Kosovo, Four Years After Declaring Independence

   Keida Kostreci
   Kosovo Albanians set up Albanian national flags in the town of Kacanik,
   southeast of the capital Pristina, February 16, 2012. Kosovo celebrates
   the fourth anniversary of its declaration of independence from Serbia
   on February 17. Photo: Reuters
   Kosovo Albanians set up Albanian national flags in the town of Kacanik,
   southeast of the capital Pristina, February 16, 2012. Kosovo celebrates
   the fourth anniversary of its declaration of independence from Serbia
   on February 17.

   It has now been four years since the former Serbian province of Kosovo
   declared its independence. The country has made progress in that time,
   but major challenges remain, including establishing stability,
   extending government authority throughout the territory, and improving
   the economy. The relationship with Serbia - which has not recognized
   the independence of its former province - is at the core of these
   challenges.
   When Prime Minister Hashim Thaci read Kosovo's declaration of
   independence, in 2008, there were fears that independence would have
   destabilizing effects on the region. So far, those have not
   materialized.

   Former diplomat Morton Abramowitz, at the Century Foundation, said
   there has been positive progress toward state and institution building.
   But he said other problems will not be solved any time soon, including
   the situation in the Serbian-populated North.

   'The North is not going to be resolved in any short time period. The EU
   [European Union] plays with it, the Americans are sort of out, Kosovo
   depends on the foreigners to resolve the problem, and the Serbs are
   unable to come to grips with the loss of Kosovo,' said Abramowitz.
   Since July, for example, Serbs along Kosovo's border with Serbia have
   been setting up roadblocks - after Kosovo's ethnic Albanian-dominated
   government tried to take control of the border region, which is under
   de-facto Serb rule.
   The events reopened discussions on the status of that area and have
   disrupted bilateral talks on technical issues between Belgrade and
   Prishtina.
   'The one good thing about the recent dust-up is that the Kosovo
   government has made it clear, or has been effective, in getting the
   West to recognize that the North is part of Kosovo and that has been a
   significant achievement," said Abramowitz.
   It also has affected Serbia's chances to join the European Union.
   To date, the lack of progress in relationships with Kosovo, has marred
   Belgrade's prospects. But Serbia's domestic political situation, with
   elections coming up in the spring, makes it more difficult for Belgrade
   to do anything that could alienate those voters who still consider
   Kosovo as part of Serbia.
   Eighty-seven countries, including the United States, have recognized
   Kosovo's independence. But Serbia claims the move is illegal and is
   supported by Russia, a permanent U.N. Security Council member with veto
   power.
   The European Union itself is divided with five of its members not
   recognizing independence. Alex Grigorev, of the Council for Inclusive
   Governance, said Kosovo has to work to convince these countries, no
   matter what else happens.
   'Because I do not see any future for Kosovo without membership into the
   European Union, and those five members have to be worked on,' said
   Grigorev.
   There are other problems besides relations with Serbia. Unemployment is
   at 45 percent. There is pervasive corruption. Also, war crimes
   investigations against high-profile public figures have been marred by
   reports of witness intimidation.
   By and large, though, peace in the region has been preserved.
   And in another sign of progress, the country now has its first female
   President, Atifete Jahjaga.
   In fact, the International Steering Group for Kosovo, a 25-member body
   overseeing its progress, says the supervised phase of independence may
   end as early as December.