What is missing in Kosovo today, apart from Serbian recognition?

For a decade and a half, since the declaration of independence in 2008, the Kosovo authorities have been insisting on international recognition, primarily by Serbia, but below that surface, Kosovo has been plagued by other problems for years, primarily economic and social, due to which many young are leaving that region, analysts point out.

Objective data show that the economic problems are great - Kosovo, along with Bosnia and Herzegovina, is the leader in the number of unemployed in the Western Balkans, and the standard of living of citizens is far from the countries of the European Union.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti seemed to be aware of this, as he said after winning the 2021 elections that dialogue with Serbia could not be among the two key priorities of the Kosovo government, putting jobs and justice at the top of the priority list.

However, dialogue with Serbia and efforts to confirm Kosovo's independence, even through applications for membership in international organizations, still have priority, and the refusal to form the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities only shows that nationalism is more important than living standards.

Kosovo constitutional law professor Mazllum Baraliu tells Kosovo Online that Kosovo lacks a lot, economically and socially, noting that Kosovo has problems, like others in the Balkans, but much more.

"Kosovo's problems are the current economic situation, which is worsening due to covid, international circumstances, and geopolitical movements, and a social issue because the economy is weak. We have an unproductive economy, and we certainly have problems in the health system, in the education system, and there is certainly also the problem of poverty because Kosovo is among the poorest countries in the Balkans and in Europe," Baraliu said.

He states that Kosovo lacks many things and that recognition from Serbia or from other countries is not among the first.

"With all due respect, Kosovo has a lot of internal problems, Kosovo needs to turn to itself and solve those problems, especially poverty and the departure of young people. People leave cities and villages. These are perhaps some of the acute problems of Kosovo for now," Baraliu concluded.

Political analyst Ognjen Gogic agrees that Kosovo "needs a lot" because it has a huge problem with unemployment.

He points out that every year a large number of people of working age leave Kosovo or seek the opportunity to leave, and points out that jobs and economic development are needed.

However, he says, Pristina can be credited for insisting on independence, aware that an unresolved status makes it impossible to deal with other problems.

"I don't think it is necessary for Kosovo to be independent, but the fact is that this unresolved status makes it impossible for Kosovo to deal with other problems. It is a prerequisite for other things. Kosovo needs a lot, but it needs recognition from Serbia. They are looking for other things in other places," Gogic said.

He also adds that it is a fact that other matters can hardly be resolved until the status is defined because it demotivates investors and repels them.

"Who will come to invest in an area whose status is undefined and where conflict can break out? That is why Kosovo needs a status solution," Gogic explains.

He points out that Kosovo has a big problem with institutions, which are underdeveloped, new, young, and eroded by corruption.

"Corruption and crime are so pronounced in Kosovo that the institutions cannot deal with them at all," Gogic noted and added that for Kosovo, access to international organizations, either through Serbia or independently, would mean a lot and would contribute to the protection of human rights and the fight against corruption.

When asked whether the European plan could replace recognition, he answered in the negative, because Pristina believed that the European proposal froze the issue of status more than it solved it.

"This proposal rather postpones the resolution of the status issue for some future time; tries to make a truce, to prevent destabilization and the outbreak of crises. The proposal implies that the status will remain unresolved for some time, even for years, and that in that situation of unresolved status, at least some minimum of peaceful coexistence and a minimum of stability will be achieved. If it brings some stability, then it can be an incentive for investors, for investments, for the development of the economy, but it still does not solve the issue of status but leaves it open," Gogic said.

Commenting on the increasing departure of young people, political analyst Gazmir Raci tells Kosovo Online that there is potential in Kosovo, but that it must be used.

"There have been similar movements in other countries in the region. Governments are responsible for making people's lives easier, but this time the challenge of covid-19 and the war in Ukraine have made economic development and job openings more difficult. For example, I saw in the news that the government has launched a youth employment project. In just three weeks, the statistics look like this: more than 3,000 verified applications, over 2,000 employers offering jobs, and more than 1,000 jobs. And, there are more than 1,500 job vacancies for young people from 18 to 25 years. There is potential, but it must be used for the good of everyone," Raci said.

Raci states that Kosovo must be a member of NATO, the European Union, the Council of Europe, and, in his words, of course, the United Nations.

"Regional cooperation, friendly neighborly relations, and peace in the Western Balkans are of crucial importance for stability and economic and social inclusion. Global challenges, due to the war in Ukraine, must be used for joint cooperation, for greater economic support from Western countries - for all six countries of the Western Balkans. If we want to one day be part of the European Union, then we have to start behaving like all free people who are part of the European Union," Raci said.