Ymeri: We do not have satisfactory coexistence with fellow citizens from the Serbian community

Political analyst Visar Ymeri states that Kosovo, 16 years after declaring independence, faces the greatest challenges in economic, social, and societal development, while dialogue with Serbia remains the major obstacle in Kosovo's relations with the world, especially in regional integrations, which, he says, should be implemented for the benefit of all who live in the region.

He believes that the integration of the Serbian community over the past 16 years has been unsatisfactory.

"I believe that the Serbian community should be more integrated into Kosovo's social, economic, and political life. We have formal integration when it comes to institutions and municipalities, but we do not have satisfactory coexistence with our fellow citizens from the Serbian community. In recent years, we have been in a worse situation than we were before," Ymeri says for Kosovo Online.

He assesses that the unresolved dialogue with Serbia is a barrier to interethnic relations between the majority Albanian and minority Serbian populations. These issues, he says, should have been resolved long ago, but unfortunately, they have not yet been.

"Citizens are pleased that Kosovo has become a state and that travel without visas is possible with a Kosovo passport, but in terms of economic development, currently they are not because we had significant inflation. Citizens are most dissatisfied that the dialogue with Serbia has lasted this long. No one thought it would last this long. This part of the dialogue began in 2011, and no one sees if it will end this year. Also, people are concerned about the security situation, as the significant influence of Russia in the region is evident, especially in Serbia. This is a problem for Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Montenegro..." Ymeri notes.

Regarding Kosovo's position on the international scene, he says that upon the implementation of the Brussels agreement, Kosovo is expected to become a part of the Council of Europe, UNESCO, Interpol, and the United Nations.

"It is expected that the number of recognitions of Kosovo will increase, and it is particularly important to receive recognition from the five EU members that have not recognized it. The government will try again for Kosovo to become a member of UNESCO and Interpol. The Council of Europe is the first and most important step because all citizens of Kosovo will have another opportunity for their human rights in the Strasbourg Court. This is important for all of us, especially for the Serbian community in Kosovo," Ymeri says, reminding that Kosovo is a member of the World Bank, IMF, UEFA, FIFA, and most sports organizations.