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REPUBLIC OF FACTS AND FIGURES

REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO You can read everything you need to know about Kosovo today in “Republic FACTS AND FIGURES of Kosovo facts and figures”. From historical turning points to how the political system works: this book covers numerous aspects of everyday life, including economy, education, foreign policy, culture and the arts, tradition,

gastronomy, and many other topics. 2020

A practical handbook, it gives you facts as well as hints on how best to enjoy Kosovo and the many places of interest that it offers.

This insightful publication includes Foreign policy · Society descriptions that are easy to follow, as well as charts, tables, illustrations and photos, making it a must-have for everyone who wants to learn more about modern life in Republic of Kosovo. · Economy · Culture

2020

REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO FACTS AND FIGURES CONTENTS FOREWORD AT A GLANCE 4 KOSOVO AS A COUNTRY OF 44 The Republic 4 RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE Crests & Symbols 6 Demographics 8 MIGRATION 52 Geography & Climate 10 THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE 56 THE LEGAL AND 12 IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO POLITICAL SYSTEM Introduction 56 Form of government and the 12 The public broadcaster (RTK) 58 separation of powers Private national terrestrial TV stations 58 The Legislative Branch 12 Private national TV stations that 59 The Executive Branch 16 Broadcast via satellite The Judicial Branch 19 Regional TV stations 59 Local Radio stations 59 Print media 60 22 FOREIGN POLICY Online media 60 Historical background 23 Regulation in the media sector 61 Kosovo’s declaration of 24 in Kosovo independence in 2008 European integration 24 CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS 62 Regional cooperation 25 SEECP 25 66 Kosovo in the Berlin Process 25 FOOD IN KOSOVO Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) 26 The EU-facilitated dialogue for 26 72 the normalization of relations between Kosovo and International organizations 27 KOSOVO AND ALTERNATIVE 74 Public diplomacy 28 Economic diplomacy 28 The – the Field 74 Digital diplomacy 29 of Blackbirds Promotion of coffee culture 76 BUSINESS AND ECONOMY 30 Monuments to American Presidents 77 The legislative framework of doing 30 business in Kosovo 78 Taxes 32 The Kosovo economy 33 SPORT 80

34 THE IMPERMANENCE OF 84 A PERMANENT PEACE THE FASHION DESIGN INDUSTRY KOSOVO’S 88 KOSOVO’S CONNECTION 37 WITH THE DIASPORA PICTURE CREDITS 92 BIBLIOGRAPHY 93 CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE 40 IMPRINT 94 REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO GETTING AROUND 95 FOREWORD

Kosovo is the newest country in , Kosovars – equivalent to 20% of Kosovo’s having declared independence in 2008. resident population. With 70% of the population under 35 years old, there is another sense in which it is Through this publication, the Konrad- the youngest country in Europe. Its recent Adenauer-Stiftung and its partner, the statehood and youthful population make German-Kosovar Chamber of Commerce, Kosovo a vibrant and energetic place where aim to share basic information about the a rich cultural heritage of costumes and Republic of Kosovo. The text is targeted at traditions been preserved. Among members of the international community these traditions is the now famous Kosovan who need additional information about hospitality, generosity and ability to create the country within a single publication. The an inviting environment for everyone who publication is divided into 17 chapters, each visits the country. It is a must-see for anyone of them sharing information in facts and who loves a good macchiato or likes to enjoy figures about the country. The Republic of fine dining on a low budget. Kosovo: facts and figures aims to help Kosovo promote itself internationally and present the Kosovo has a multiethnic character and is opportunities available. a secular state with a population of around 2 million. It is open to foreign investments, We wish you pleasant and interesting reading. with tax rates that are the lowest in Europe. Kosovo has a strong connection to through its diaspora: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and each host around 200.000 German-Kosovar Business Association 4 | 5 AT A GLANCE

AT A GLANCE

The Republic  Crests & Symbols  Demographics  Geography & Climate  Parliament & Parties  Government  The President  Judiciary

by Jeta Project Manager and Senior Researcher at the Democratic Institute of Kosovo / Transparency International Kosovo

THE REPUBLIC

Kosovo is a multi-party parliamentary repre- Since declaring its independence, Kosovo sentative democratic state. It is governed by has gained diplomatic recognition as a sov- legislative, executive and judicial institutions ereign state by 116 states. which derive from the constitution, which is the highest legal act of the Republic of Koso- Kosovo is administratively subdivided into vo. The government exercises the executive seven districts and 38 municipalities. Munic- power and is composed of the Prime Minis- ipalities in Kosovo are units of local self-gov- ter as the head of government, with depu- ernment. The largest municipality is the cap- ty prime ministers and the ministers of the ital city, / Prishtina, with a population various ministries. The President is the head of 204,721.  of state. The administrative map of districts in Kosovo

Mitrovica/ Kosovska Mitrovica

Prishtina/ Priština /Peć

Gjilan/ Gnjilane / / Uroševac Đakovica

Prizreni/

District of Ferizaj

District of Gjakova District of Peja

District of District of Pristina 6 | 7 AT A GLANCE

Coat of arms Constitution

The coat of arms shows six white stars in an The Constitution of the Republic of arc above a solid golden outline of Kosovo, as Kosovo, which was signed on 7 April, 2008, seen on a standard projection map, placed on a separates the government into three rounded triangular shield with a field and a branches: the legislative, the executive and golden border. Its central figures, the stars and the judiciary. the map outline, are also the components of the of Kosovo, adopted at the same time.

Flag National day

17 February

The shows six white stars in 17 February is a national holiday an arc above a golden map of Kosovo on a commemorating the fact that on that date in blue field. The stars symbolize Kosovo’s six 2008, the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo major ethnic groups. promulgated the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

Currency

EUR

The country’s official currency is the euro. Kosovo is not a member of the Euro Zone but the country unilaterally adopted the euro in 2002 during the Interim Administration mandate and has used it ever since as its de facto currency. National Anthem

‘Europe’ is the national anthem of Kosovo. It was composed by Mendi Mengjiqi. It has no official , and one of the reasons for this choice was because it contained no references to any specific ethnic group, but unofficial lyrics have been written for it. It was adopted on 11 June 2008.

17 February

EUR 8 | 9 AT A GLANCE

LIF E EXP ECTA NCY POPULATION GENDER DISTRIBUTION DEMOGRAPHICS years 4 years 1,,2 ,2 ,00 Women Men Women Men The average life expectancy in the Repub- lic of Kosovo is 71.65 years. Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe with half of its population under the age of 25, according to a recent report by the United Nations Devel- opment Programme, UNDP. Government data estimates that more than 65% of the popula- tion is younger than 30. Kosovo’s birth rate re- RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION AGE STRU CTURE mains the highest in Europe. 1. According to the first census conducted after Ortodox Christian the declaration of independence, in 2011 the 2.2 0.1 85 Catholic Christian permanent population of Kosovo had reached Other 80-84 1,739,825, excluding . 0. 0.1 75-79 No religion form the majority in Kosovo, with over 93% Not stated 70-74 of the total population; significant minorities 65-69 include Ashkali, , Croats, , 60-64

Gorani, Roma, , and Turks. However, the 55-59

2011 Kosovo population census was largely . 50-54 Muslim boycotted by the , especially in 45-49

North Kosovo, leaving the Serb population un- 40-44 derrepresented. 35-39

30-34 The results of the 2011 census gave the fol- 25-29 lowing religious affiliations for the population 20-24 included in the census: Islam 95.6%, Christian- 15-19 ity 3.7% of which Catholic 2.2% and Orthodox HOUSEHOLDS 10-14 1.5%, other 0.1%, no religion 0.1% and not stat- 5-9 ed 0.6%.  0.1 0-4

85 68 51 34 17 0 0 17 34 51 68 85 Population in thousands Men Age Group Women Population in thousands LIF E EXP ECTA NCY POPULATION GENDER DISTRIBUTION years 4 years 1,,2 ,2 ,00 Women Men Women Men

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION AGE STRU CTURE

1. Ortodox Christian 2.2 0.1 85 Catholic Christian Other 80-84 0. 0.1 75-79 No religion Not stated 70-74

65-69

60-64

55-59

. 50-54 Muslim 45-49

40-44

35-39

30-34

25-29

20-24

15-19 HOUSEHOLDS 10-14 0.1 5-9 0-4

85 68 51 34 17 0 0 17 34 51 68 85 Population in thousands Men Age Group Women Population in thousands

Macedonia`s population pyramid is of a stationary type. Countries with this type of pyramid usually have a declining birth rate and a relatively low death rate. This is more common for developed countries. 1210 || 13 11 AT AA TGLANCE A G LANC E

GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE LOCA TION HOURS OF SUN RAIN 20 hours 0 mm Kosovo is landlocked and located in the center of the Balkan Peninsula in South- . It has a total area of 10,908 square kilometers. Forests cover at least 39% of the country. Kosovo’s biodiversity is conserved in two national parks, eleven na- ture reserves and 103 other protected areas. The Bjeshkët e Nemuna ‘Accursed Moun- tains’ and Sharr Mountains are the most im- portant regions of vegetation and biodiversi- ty inside Kosovo, and the mountainous west and southeast provide a great habitat for several rare or endangered animals. SURF ACE AREA BORDERLINE LONGEST RIVER 2 Most of Kosovo experiences a continental 10,0 km 4. km White climate with Mediterranean and alpine influ- 122 km in Kosovo ences. The climate is strongly influenced by its proximity to the to the west and the Aegean Sea to the south but also Eu- ropean continental landmass to the north. The coldest areas of Kosovo are the moun- tains in the west and southeast, where an al- climate is found. The warmest areas are mostly in the extreme southern areas close to the border with , characterized by a Mediterranean climate. The northeast, the Kosovo Plain and Valley are influenced by continental air masses with colder winters CAPITAL FORESTED AREA HIGHEST and very hot summers. In the southwest, the climatic area of Dukagjini receives more Pristina 44,00 ha Geravica Mediterranean influences with warmer sum- 571.46 km2 2.656 m mers and heavy snowfalls in the winter. The mountainous areas - the Bjeshkët e Nemuna ‘’ in the west, the Sharr mountains in the south and in the north - experience an alpine climate, with short and fresh summers and cold winters. 12 | 13 A T A G LANCE

LOCA TION HOURS OF SUN RAIN Southeast Europe 20 hours 0 mm

SURF ACE AREA BORDERLINE LONGEST RIVER 10,0 km2 4. km 122 km in Kosovo

CAPITAL FORESTED AREA HIGHEST MOUNTAIN Pristina 44,00 ha Geravica 571.46 km2 2.656 m 12 | 13 AT A GLANCE THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEM

THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEM

Form of government and the separation of powers  The Legislative Branch  The Executive Branch  The Judicial Branch

by Jeta Krasniqi

Project Manager and Senior Researcher at the Democratic Institute of Kosovo / Transparency International Kosovo

FORM OF GOVERNMENT AND THE SEPARATION OF POWERS

Kosovo is a democratic republic based on Kosovo has a multiethnic character which is the separation of powers. The Assembly represented by its national symbols, the flag, of Kosovo is the legislative institution; the the and the anthem. There are two official President represents the unity of the peo- languages: Albanian and Serbian, and the law ple while the government exercises execu- indicates the instances when Turkish, Bosnian tive power and is subject to parliamentary and Roma have the status of official languages control. at municipal level. Kosovo is a secular state.

THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH PARLIAMENT

The Assembly is the legislative institution of seats are guaranteed for non-majority com- the Republic of Kosovo and is directly elect- munities. A minimum of ten seats are guaran- ed by people of age eighteen and above. The teed for representatives from the Kosovo Serb Assembly is composed of 120 deputies for a community. A minimum of ten further seats period of four years, starting from the day of are guaranteed in total for other non-majority the constitutive session. Twenty out of the 120 communities namely Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, 

14 | 15 THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEM

 Bosnian, Turk, and Gorani. the President of the Republic of Kosovo in ac- cordance with this constitution and to elect the Every citizen of the Republic of Kosovo who is government or to express no confidence in it. eighteen or older and meets the legal criteria is eligible to become a candidate for the As- The Assembly oversees the work of the gov- sembly. A member of the Assembly of Kosovo ernment and other public institutions that re- cannot hold any executive post in the public port to the Assembly, and it elects members administration or in any publicly-owned - of the and the Kosovo terprise nor exercise any other executive func- Prosecutorial Council, and proposes the judg- tion. es for the Constitutional Court.

The Assembly has a 30% gender quota which The meetings of the Assembly of Kosovo are has resulted in greater representation of wom- public, but they can be closed upon the re- en in the Assembly. In the elections of 8 Octo- quest of the President of the Republic of Koso- ber 2019 only 13 out of 39 women MPs were vo, the Prime Minister or one third of the MPs. elected through the quota system, marking The decision must be adopted by two thirds of significant progress. the vote of all MPs present and voting.

The Assembly of Kosovo can adopt laws, res- Parliamentary commissions are working or- olutions and other general acts. The consti- gans of the Assembly where representatives tution (based on the ) identifies of all parliamentary groups are present. The some legislation as being of vital interest. Assembly of Kosovo has four standing com- Changing the nature of this legislation whether mittees and ten functional committees. At the through amendment, repeal or adoption re- request of one third of the members of the quires a ‘double majority’ of MPs: a majority of Assembly, the Assembly may appoint a com- the MPs present and voting as well as a major- mittee on a particular or investigative matter. ity of non-majority communities’ MPs present At least one deputy chairperson of each parlia- and voting. mentary committee must be from a communi- ty that is different from that of the chairperson. The Assembly is also entitled to amend the Constitution by decision of two thirds of all its Parliament can be dissolved in a few cases deputies including two thirds of all deputies such as when a government has not been holding seats reserved and guaranteed for formed sixty days after the appointment of the representatives of communities that are not in candidate for Prime Minister by the President. the majority in Kosovo. This constitutional pre- or the President can dissolve the Assembly af- rogative gives the power of veto to non-major- ter the passing of a vote of no confidence in the ity communities. government. The members of the parliament themselves can vote in favor of dissolving the The Assembly ratifies international treaties Assembly by two thirds of votes and the As- and approves the budget of the Republic of sembly can be dissolved by the President by Kosovo. It is the responsibility of the Assembly decree or if the President cannot be elected to elect or dismiss the President and deputy within sixty days from the start of his/ her elec- presidents of the Assembly; to elect or dismiss tion. 

16 | 17 THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEM

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH THE PRESIDENT

The President of the Republic of Kosovo is the laws for re-consideration, when s/he consid- head of state and represents the unity of the ers them to be harmful to the legitimate inter- people. The Constitution has given the right to ests of the Republic of Kosovo or one or more any citizen of the Republic of Kosovo who is 35 communities. This right can be exercised only years old or older to be elected the President once per law. of the country. The President is elected by the Assembly by a secret ballot. The candidate for The President appoints the candidate for the President should receive in advance at Prime Minister for the establishment of the least thirty signatures of members of the Par- government after proposal by the political liament and should be elected by a two thirds party or coalition holding the majority in the majority of all deputies of all the Assembly. Assembly, and in the second round s/he has The term of office is five years and the Pres- the discretion to mandate which political par- ident can be elected for two terms. The Pres- ty/ coalition offers the second candidate for ident cannot exercise any other public func- Prime Minister. tion or exercise any political party functions. The President and the government share joint The President of the Republic of Kosovo can, responsibilities in a few areas. On the recom- among other things, represent the Republic of mendation of the government, the President Kosovo, internally and externally, and should appoints the Commander of the Kosovo Se- guarantee the functioning of institutions ac- curity Force, appoints and dismisses heads of cording to the Constitution. S/he is the Com- Kosovo’s diplomatic missions and can declare mander-in-Chief of the a state of emergency in consultation with the and leads the Consultative Council for Com- Prime Minister. Jointly with the Prime Minister, munities. the President appoints the Director, Deputy Director and Inspector General of the Kosovo The President plays an important role in the Intelligence Agency. constitutional functioning of institutions. The President is entitled to announce elections On the proposal of the institutions of the jus- for the Assembly of Kosovo and convenes tice system the President can appoint or dis- its first meeting. S/he issues decrees, - miss judges, prosecutors, the President of the ulgates laws approved by the Assembly of Supreme Court and the Chief Prosecutor of Kosovo, proposes amendments to the Con- Kosovo. The President also appoints Constitu- stitution and signs international agreements. tional Court judges, upon the proposal of the The President has the right to return adopted Assembly.  Ministries State Presidents Presidents of the Government Ministry of Internal Affairs mvr.gov.mk Presidents of the Government State Presidents

Ministry of Foreign Affairs mfa.gov.mk (PDK) 2002-2004 Ministry of Defence morm.gov.mk 2004 Ministry of Finances Ramush Haradinaj (AAK) 2004–2005 finance.gov.mk 200 Ibrahim Ministry of Justice (LDK) 2002-2006 (Died in office) 200 pravda.gov.mk Bajram Kosumi (PPK) 2005–2006 Ministry of Labour and Social Policy Agim Çeku mtsp.gov.mk (independent) 2006–2008 200

Ministry of Education and Science Fatmir Sejdiu mon.gov.mk 2006–2010 Jakup Krasniqi (acting-President) Ministry of Economy (PDK) 2010–2011 economy.gov.mk

Hashim Thaçi Ministry of Environment and (PDK) 2008-2014 Physical Planning (AKR) 2011 moepp.gov.mk

Ministry of Transport and Communications 2014 mtc.gov.mk (LDK) 2014–2017 Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry (Independent) 2011-2016 and Water Economy mzsv.gov.mk Ramush Haradinaj (AAK) 2017–2020 201 Ministry of Culture kultura.gov.mk (Vetëvendosje) 2020-2020 (PDK) 2016-2020 Ministry of Iformation Society and Administration Avdullah (acting-President) mioa.gov.mk (LDK) 2020 (LDK) 2020 2020 Ministry of Local Self-Governance mls.gov.mk 18 | 19 THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEM

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH THE GOVERNMENT

The government exercises executive pow- necessary votes for approval, the President er and implements the laws and other acts will appoint another candidate within a peri- adopted by the Assembly of Kosovo. The od of ten days. government has the power to propose draft laws and amendments of existing laws or The government is elected by the Assembly, give opinion on draft laws which are not pro- which also has the right to express a vote posed by it and also propose amendments of no confidence. The Prime Minister may to the Constitution. The government also change any members of the government has the power to propose and implement without the consent of the Assembly. the internal and foreign policies of the state, propose the state budget and promote the The Government is composed of the Prime economic development of the country. It Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister(s) and oversees the work of the administration and ministers. Kosovo does not have a law on guides the development of public services. government; thus the size of the government The government also plays a role in sup- is at the discretion of the governing coalition. porting cultural initiatives from communi- Nevertheless, the Constitution stipulates ties and their members. Moreover, through clearly the division of ministers/ deputy min- the Consultative Council for Communities, isters among different communities residing the government takes into consideration in Kosovo. the comments of communities on legislative or policy initiatives and ensures regular ex- If the government is composed of twelve change with communities. ministers, at least one minister should be from the Kosovo Serb community and one The candidate for Prime Minister must, not from other non-majority community. If the later than fifteen days from their appoint- government is bigger, the Constitution indi- ment by the President, present the composi- cates the proportion of ministers and dep- tion of the government to the Assembly and uty ministers which should be guaranteed request approval. For the government to be for non-majority communities. The selection elected, it should receive the majority vote of of these government representatives (min- all deputies of the Assembly of Kosovo. If the isters and deputy ministers) shall be deter- candidate does not present the composition mined after consultation with the group rep- of the government or it does not receive the resenting these respective communities. The Prime Minister represents and leads the and, among other competences, is also enti- government, ensures the implementation of tled to appoint the General Director of the Po- government policies by the relevant ministers lice and to chair the Kosovo Security Council. 

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH

The judicial power is independent and exercised approved the Law on the Courts which changed by the courts. In 2010 the Assembly of Kosovo the system of courts and prosecution offices.  20 | 21 THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEM

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH COURTS IN THE REPUBLIC

The court system in Kosovo is composed of The independence and impartiality of the jus- basic courts, the Court of Appeals and the Su- tice system is ensured by the Kosovo Judicial preme Court. There are seven principal seats Council which performs its functions as an in- of basic courts in Kosovo which are the courts dependent institution. of first instance. Each basic court can maintain branches of the court. The Court of Appeals The Constitutional Court is the final author- which, in accordance with the Agreement on ity entitled to interpret the Constitution and Justice between Kosovo and Serbia, has a di- whether laws are in compliance with the Con- vision in , operates as the sec- stitution. The Assembly of Kosovo, the Presi- ond instance court. The Supreme Court is the dent of the country, the government and the highest judicial authority. The representation Ombudsperson are authorized to refer to the of non-majority communities is ensured in the Constitutional Court matters as set out in the justice system as the Constitution stipulates that Constitution. After exhausting all legal reme- at least 15% of the judges of the Supreme Court dies set out in law even individuals are author- and not fewer than three shall be from non-ma- ized to refer violations of their individual rights jority communities. The same principle is appli- and freedoms as guaranteed by the Constitu- cable for judges from any other court. tion.  THE JUDICIAL BRANCH THE STATE PROSECUTOR

INTERNET The State Prosecutor in Kosovo is an independ- ent institution which has the authority and responsibility to prosecute persons in breach Assembly of the Republick of Kosovo of law. This institution reflects the multiethnic kuvendikosoves.org composition of the state of Kosovo and gender equality principles. Prosecutors have an initial President of the Republic of Kosovo mandate of three years which becomes per- president-ksgov.net manent until retirement at reappointment. The The Prime Minister Office Chief State Prosecutor has a mandate of seven kryeministri-ks.net years and cannot be reappointed. S/he is ap- pointed and can be dismissed by the President State Portal of the Republic of Kosovo upon the proposal of the Kosovo Prosecutorial rks-gov.net Council. The State Prosecution organization- al structure consists of the office of the Chief Kosovo Judicial Council State Prosecutor, appellate prosecution, special gjk-ks.org prosecution and seven basic prosecutions, com- posed of general departments, the department Constitutional Court for minors and the serious crimes prosecution gjk-ks.org department. State Prosecutor

rks-gov.netENf46 The Kosovo Prosecutorial Council is an inde- judiciarystate-prosecutor pendent institution which is entitled to ensure that all persons have access to justice. It is man- dated to ensure that the State Prosecutor is in- dependent, professional and impartial, reflect- ing the principles of the multiethnic nature of the Kosovo state and gender equality.  22 | 23 FOREIGN POLICY

FOREIGN POLICY

Historical background  Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008  European integration  Regional cooperation  SEECP  Kosovo in the Berlin Process  Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)  The EU-facilitated dialogue for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia  International organizations  Public diplomacy  Economic diplomacy  Digital diplomacy

by Valon Murtezaj Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo Professor at IESEG School of Management, Paris,

More than a decade has passed since the Re- is strongly committed to the principles of de- public of Kosovo declared its independence mocracy, and the rule of law. The on 17 February 2008. Since then, Kosovo has provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of moved forward, and there are results to be Kosovo reflect the highest international -stand proud of both internally and in the international ards of human rights and fundamental free- arena. In a rapidly changing world, Kosovo, the doms. youngest state in Europe, is more international- ly-oriented than ever. The main goal of Kosovo’s foreign policy is to strengthen its statehood internationally. For the The Republic of Kosovo belongs to Europe by Republic of Kosovo, European integration and virtue of its history, culture and geography. strong partnership with the is at Kosovo’s foreign policy is based on the Europe- the very essence of its foreign policy. A world an values embodied in its constitution. Kosovo with the prospect of prosperity based on coop- eration is the long-term orientation and central it is essential for both the and working principle of Kosovo’s diplomacy. the United States to stand and work together, coordinated in supporting the Western With an active foreign policy, Kosovo aims to with a clear European future by encouraging strengthen its position as a serious and respect- and supporting continued reforms and reconcil- ed actor in the international system. In this con- iation in the region. text, Kosovo foreign policy aims to promote and contribute to international peace and stability, The beginnings of the foreign policy of the Re- democracy and human rights, and the rule of public of Kosovo are linked with the vision and law. work of , the ideator of inde- pendence and first president of the Republic of Kosovo foreign policy is based on the belief that Kosovo. Under his leadership during the 1990s,  24 | 25 FOREIGN POLICY

 the issue of Kosovo became known and inter- implements an active foreign policy, which is in nationalized. During the ‘nineties the aim of for- line with the dream of the people of Kosovo for eign policy was to raise awareness among west- Euro-Atlantic integration. That involves passion- ern democracies about the discrimination and ate engagement in strengthening relations with apartheid implemented by the Serbian regime international partners, contributing to good of Milošević. neighborly relations. Finally, through its foreign affairs Kosovo promotes and contributes to Since its independence in 2008, Kosovo’s foreign world peace, and the principles of cooperation policy has been formulated and implemented and mutual respect among states.  by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Kosovo

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

KOSOVO’S CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION IN THE FORMER AND ILLEGAL LOSS OF AUTONOMY IN 1989

The Constitution of the Socialist Federal Re- removing Kosovo’s autonomy. This was the public of Yugoslavia of 1974 brought republic starting point of a new era of the Milošević re- status for Kosovo in all but name. When Yugo- gime’s and brutality in Kosovo which slavia broke up in 1991-1992, several republics ended with armed conflict in 1998-1999. More declared their independence as separate states than 12 000 people were killed, and around 1 and the Republic of Kosovo is one of the seven million deported out of Kosovo, while around states that emerged. 1600 persons are still missing. This led to the involvement of the international community in Before this, in 1989, the Milošević regime made the Kosovo issue, and the application of the en- destructive political changes which destroyed tire diplomacy arsenal of tools available, includ- the autonomy of Kosovo. This step was part of ing NATO humanitarian military action against an overall campaign to secure Serbia’s domina- Serb Army and other military forces, to halt the tion over the Yugoslav Federation at that time. violence and bring an end to the humanitarian In March 1989, Serbia forced the Kosovo As- catastrophe in Kosovo.  sembly to accept changes in the Constitution, KOSOVO’S DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN 2008

At an extraordinary meeting convened on 17 ternational Court of Justice ruled that Kosovo’s February 2008, the democratically elected rep- Declaration of Independence did not violate in- resentatives of the people of Kosovo declared ternational law or UNSC1244. Kosovo to be an independent and sovereign state. In the Declaration of Independence, it is Today, the Republic of Kosovo is an independ- noted that this act ‘reflects the will of our people ent state. Kosovo is currently recognized as a and is in full accordance with the recommen- sovereign and independent state by 116states dations of United Nations Special Envoy Martti from all continents. These states include all Ahtisaari and his Comprehensive Proposal for neighboring countries, except Serbia.  the Kosovo Status Settlement.’ In 2010, the In- 26 | 27 FOREIGN POLICY

EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

The Republic of Kosovo belongs to Europe, by European Union (EU). The SAA serves as a guide virtue of its history, culture and geography. Koso- for Kosovo’s European integration process by vo and its people believe in the European Union identifying necessary political, economic and (EU). Like its neighbors in the Western Balkans, legal reforms. The government of the Republic Kosovo enjoys the prospect of a European fu- of Kosovo is the central national institution for ture in the framework of the EU’s enlargement fulfilling the obligations arising from the SAA. processes. The prospect of EU membership for all Western Balkans countries was reaffirmed There are two interrelated documents with the at the in in June aim of implementing all reforms for the adop- 2003. EU heads of state have consistently sup- tion of the EU acquis into national legislation in ported a European path for the region. all its chapters: the National Program for Imple- mentation of the Stabilization and Association The Stabilization and Association Agreement Agreement, and the European Reform Agenda, (SAA) entered into force in April 2016 as a com- setting out political-level priorities and concrete prehensive contract between Kosovo and the reforms for their implementation.  REGIONAL COOPERATION

It is among the core pillars of Kosovo’s foreign has, via its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, put these policy to promote regional cooperation and to among its foreign policy priorities. engage as a factor for stability in the region. Regional cooperation and good neighborly rela- Kosovo is a member of several important re- tions are essential for progress on the Western gional initiatives where it contributes actively Balkans countries’ respective European paths. within their respective structures with the aim The European Commission has declared re- that the benefits of regional cooperation will ulti- gional cooperation in the Western Balkans to be mately reflect on the lives of its citizens. Kosovo’s a key condition for joining the EU. Recognizing foreign policy has consistently contributed to the this regional cooperation and good neighborly creation of a regional culture which recognizes relations as important prerequisites for joining constructive dialogue among neighboring coun- the European Union, the Kosovo government tries, based on mutual respect and recognition.

SEECP

The South-East European Cooperation Process ized crime, and the fight against terrorism. (SEECP) was launched in 1996 in Sofia with the objective of strengthening regional cooperation, At the Bucharest Summit in 2014, Kosovo joined trust, good neighbourly relations, stability, secu- this important regional political process, and dur- rity, economic relations, engagement in the hu- ing Kosovo chaired the SEECP from 2019-2020.  man dimension, justice, the fight against organ-

KOSOVO IN THE BERLIN PROCESS

Since 2014 the Western Balkans’ Berlin Pro- supported by other EU members states (, cess, initiated by German Chancellor Angela Croatia, France, , and ). Also part of Merkel, served as a framework for regional co- the process were EU institutions such as the Eu- operation and as a new European political pro- ropean Commission, and international financial cess in the region. The process has been fully institutions.  28 | 29 FOREIGN POLICY

 Kosovo’s foreign policy fully supported and con- sure implementation of youth and education tributed to this framework that included region- activities. al cooperation, sustainable economic growth, democracy, and reconciliation. Kosovo’s foreign As an important mechanism developed during policy contributed substantively to this idea of the WB process is Regional Youth Cooperation building peace and prosperity for the region Office (RYCO). Its main role is to promote the while offering a clear European future. spirit of reconciliation and cooperation be- tween the youth in the region through youth Kosovo will develop reconciliation and an envi- exchange programs. Kosovo chaired the gov- ronment with adequate infrastructure for creat- erning board of the Regional Youth Coopera- ing jobs and business opportunities, and to en- tion Office in 2019. 

REGIONAL COOPERATION COUNCIL (RCC)

Kosovo participated actively in the RCC’s work among its members, and Kosovo has played a on regional cooperation and the Euro-Atlantic valued role in further developing the forms of integration of the South-East European partici- regional cooperation. Kosovo was a construc- pants. It is the mission of the RCC to foster con- tive actor in all political consultations within the nectivity, skills and mobility, competitiveness, RCC framework and in implementing regional- the rule of law and security cooperation efforts ly-agreed agendas. 

THE EU-FACILITATED DIALOGUE FOR THE NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN KOSOVO AND SERBIA

The aim of the EU-facilitated dialogue for the the path to Europe and improve the lives of the normalization of relations between Kosovo and people. The Republic of Kosovo is an independ- Serbia is to promote cooperation between the ent state since 17 February 2008.  two countries, help them achieve progress on INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY

Multilateralism and membership to interna- The Republic of Kosovo is a member of more tional organizations remains a strategic interest than eighty international organizations. These for Kosovo. The rational is two-fold: on the one are regional, conventions, and other multilateral hand this will strengthen the international rec- mechanisms. Kosovo is also a member of more ognition of Kosovo as a state, while on the other than thirty sports organizations. Kosovo has hand Kosovo wants to contribute constructively also become a full sovereign member of inter- in the international arena. national agencies such as the World Bank, Inter-  30 | 31 FOREIGN POLICY

 national Monetary Fund (IMF), European Bank On a larger scale, it is the objective of Kosovo to for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), become a member of the United Nations, EU, and other international bodies such as the In- Council of Europe, Interpol, UNESCO and other ternational Olympic Committee, FIFA and the important European and global organizations. Union of European Football Associations, UEFA.

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

In today`s world, technology changes and eco- tionally, which go beyond the classic diplomacy nomic development suggest an implementation of verbal notes. of an active public diplomacy. As a result, Koso- vo, introduced public diplomacy as an impor- Since declaring its independence, Kosovo public tant instrument of foreign policy. diplomacy has been used to find and develop routes to build the nation’s branding and image. Through implementing the principle of dia- Promotion of tourism and exports (products logue, Kosovo public diplomacy aims to spread and services), government policies, and attract- sincere and trustworthy information about ing foreign investment are among the key are- Kosovo. Kosovo foreign policy is interested in nas where Kosovo public diplomacy has been advancing its national interests through events, focused, as well a in cultural diplomacy in the activities and actions, both locally and interna- fields of arts and science. 

ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY

Economic development is among the top pri- foreign policy. Kosovo economic diplomacy aims orities of the Republic of Kosovo. For many to integrate Kosovo into the markets of develop- years, promoting economic interests has been ing countries, with participation in international among the top strategic objectives of Kosovo’s economic and financial organizations, encour- agement to invest in Kosovo, and increased and international companies to do business. exports of Kosovan products. In this context, strengthening the coopera- tion with the EU to promote the interests of The free market economy is the foundation for Kosovo’s businesses remains at the focus of the economic development and the welfare Kosovo’s economic diplomacy initiatives and of businesses in Kosovo. Through economic activities. diplomacy, Kosovo aims to internationalize Kosovan businesses and attract foreign in- Finally, economic diplomacy is being used in vestment. Through its economic diplomacy, conjunction with public diplomacy as a suc- Kosovo’s foreign policy has aimed at creating cessful tool in developing Kosovo’s national a favorable framework for both domestic branding as a good place to be and to invest.

DIGITAL DIPLOMACY

Digital diplomacy is among the priorities of Koso- diversified portfolio of initiatives. It is Kosovo’s vo diplomacy. It is an instrument and strategy for aim to become recognized as a leading country strengthening Kosovo’s overall online presence. in the application of digital technology in all for- This strategy encompasses a comprehensive and eign affairs and activities.  32 | 33 BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

The legislative framework for doing business in Kosovo  Taxes  The Kosovo economy

by Naim Huruglica, MBA Senior business consultant and lecturer

Kosovo is a transit point between Balkan countries. The fundamental values of doing business in Kosovo are those of the competitive and free market, where Kosovars and foreigners have the same rights to own businesses and property, and they are treated as equal entities.

In this section, the focus will be on the legislative framework for doing business in Kosovo and the .

THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK OF DOING BUSINESS IN KOSOVO

Kosovo is a parliamentary democracy and its primary legal act which regulates business- core values are derived from its constitution. es and their operations in Kosovo. It defines Based on the constitution foreigners, as well company types as well as the procedures as citizens of Kosovo, have the right to oper- and regulations for their incorporation and ate and open businesses in Kosovo and enjoy operations. the same treatment. In accordance with the constitution as well as national legislation, According to the Law on Business Organiza- no person can be deprived of their property tions, companies can be registered as sepa- or any of the rights which derive from it. For- rate legal entities that operate independent- eign investors can operate businesses and ly with corporate shields. The law recognizes own property in Kosovo conform legal laws nine different types of businesses: in force. 1. Individual business. The Law on Business Organizations is the 2. General partnership. 3. Partnership. According to the Law on Foreign Invest- 4. Limited Liability Company (L.L.C). ment, the Republic of Kosovo treats foreign 5. Joint Stock Company (J.S.C.). investors equally, irrespective of their nation- 6. Foreign Company. ality, origin, residence, the place where the 7. Socially-owned enterprise. business was established or its management. 8. Public enterprise. Foreign investors and their investments have 9. Agricultural cooperative. rights and obligations which are the same as those of the citizens of Kosovo, in accordance Based on the Law on Business Organiza- with the country’s applicable laws. tions, the central authority for business reg- istration is the Kosovo Business Registration The Law on Strategic Investments allows Agency (KBRA). This agency is responsible investors to accelerate the registration proce- for all registration procedures for opening a dures for investments with national and stra- company in Kosovo. Registration can be con- tegic interest. This law identifies specific con- ducted electronically or in person, and reg- ditions (the value of the investment, creation istration can take place at the main office in of new jobs etc.) which foreign investments Pristina/ Prishtina or at the offices of any mu- need to fulfil in order to be classified as stra- nicipality in Kosovo, in each of which KBRA tegic investment. Once a foreign investor is has its own offices. qualified as a strategic investor, they are enti- tled to direct negotiation with the government Kosovo has introduced a unique individual with the aim of facilitating the implementa- business registration number which simpli- tion of a project. fies the registration process and avoids the need for further registration with the tax au- The government is determined to expand the thorities. existing Industrial Development Zones, but is also working on opening new Zones. Foreign Kosovo has adopted two key laws regarding investors enjoy benefits in these zones such investments: The Law on Foreign Investment as symbolic fee leasing of space, infrastruc- and the Law on Strategic Investments. ture and utilities.  34 | 35 BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

TAXES

Kosovo has established a fiscal system based Kosovo, such as Value Added Tax, income tax, on EU experiences and best practice in order to corporate tax, and property tax. There are three have fiscal policies and laws as close as possible entities that collect taxes in Kosovo: to those of the EU. There are several taxes in

TA TYPE TA COLLECTOR

Value Added Tax (VAT) Personal income tax Tax Administration of Kosovo Corporate tax Pension

Customs tax 2-3%; 4-5%*** Excise Kosovo2-4% Customs VAT on import

Property tax Local municipal authorities

Tax rates are the lowest in Europe. Corporate the employee and the other 5% by the employer. tax is at a flat rate of 10% while income tax starts Kosovo is the only country in Europe with a at 0% for incomes up to 900 euro annually and 0% dividend tax rate and most raw materials, ends at 10% for incomes over 5400 euro annu- equipment and machinery are customs- and ally. Pension contributions are 10%, 5% paid by VAT-exempted.  TYPE OF TA TA RATE

Value Added Tax (VAT) General rate 18%, preferential rate 0% and 8%

Corporate tax 10% Property tax 0.15 - 0.2%

Personal income tax 0 - 10%

Dividend tax 0%

THE KOSOVO ECONOMY

Kosovo suffered from the economic damage 5. Exports of goods from Kosovo have been in- caused by the war in 1999. In the last decade, creasing, which has enabled a narrowing of the Kosovo has been developing steadily, with the trade deficit. greatest contribution being from the service, agriculture, and financial sectors. Kosovo’s GDP 6. Kosovo has a young population that repre- growth rate in the past 10 years has been over sents great potential for labor. Kosovo’s youth is 3.5% on average, with fiscal discipline as estab- a potential source of human capital for Europe- lished by international financial institutions. an companies that operate in the Balkans.

The following are important features of the 7. The GDP of Kosovo is 7.94 billion USD, as of Kosovan economy: 2019.

1. Kosovo has the lowest public debt in Europe, 8. The unemployment rate in Kosovo is around which accounts for around 17% of GDP. 30%.

2. Kosovo has adopted the euro as its currency, 9. Kosovo trades with countries of the region as which has avoided the risk of currency fluctua- well as EU members, particularly with Austria, tion and attracted more foreign investments. Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Kosovo is part of the Central European Free Trade Agreement 3. Kosovo’s large diaspora in western European (CEFTA) and has entered into Stabilization and countries has contributed significantly by send- Association Agreement with the EU, which en- ing remittances, enabling an inflow of cash and able the export of Kosovan products to these goods into the economy. countries free of taxes. Kosovo enjoys free access to the markets of , Norway, Swit- 4. Kosovo’s inflation rate has been relatively sta- zerland, , and the USA due to the pref- ble, standing at around 2%, which is in line with erential trade treatment these countries offer the policies of the European Central Bank. Kosovo products.  36 | 37 THE IMPERMANENCE OF A PERMANENT PEACE

THE IMPERMANENCE OF A PERMANENT PEACE

by Dritan Dragusha Journalist, author and TV Host of “Prizma”

On the basis of the Constitution of the Re- tians. Gorani, , Roma, Serbs, public of Kosovo, as the highest legal act in Turks , etc., live in Kosovo, and as a result the the country, and specifically in Article 8, the Republic of Kosovo, through its constitution, Republic of Kosovo is presented as a secular presents the state of Kosovo and its society state, neutral in matters of religious belief, as a multiethnic society in Article 3 [Equali- and under Article 9 ensures the preservation ty before the Law], Point 1. All these social and protection of its cultural and religious stratifications have historically coexisted in heritage. In addition to such constitutional tolerance. Of course, Kosovan society is not norms, the Republic of Kosovo has also in- static; it is very dynamic and sporadically corporated documents and conventions of a there have been isolated disagreements and universal character guaranteeing freedoms conflicts, which have occurred mainly as a re- and the right to religion, belief and free ex- sult of external influences, rather than due to pression. Thus, on this legal basis, we can any internal hatred. say that Kosovo has a liberal constitutional regulation in relation to the various religious Given that geographically the Republic of denominations that coexist in our society. Kosovo lies on the edge of Southeast Europe, What characterizes Kosovo in this regard is this area has often been the theater of vari- that some of the great monotheistic religions ous clashes. Perhaps not coincidentally, his- coexist here. The vast majority of Kosovars torians point out that this geographical area are Muslim, with much smaller groups of is also the boundary between the East and Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians. the West. We even encounter the expres- At the same time, there are groups of other sions of these two cultures (Western and faiths, as well as atheists. Eastern) in the architecture still standing in these spaces. We have religious sites, such A number of different ethnic groups, such as as mosques, hammams and residential hous- Albanians, Ashkali, Bosnians, Croats, Egyp- es from the Ottoman period, but we also 

38 | 39 THE IMPERMANENCE OF A PERMANENT PEACE

 have Roman Catholic and Orthodox Chris- rope and beyond. Therefore, current events tina sites, all the way from Roman times to fueled by religion and radicalism, and the the Austro-Hungarian period. It should not resulting rise of the extreme right and oth- be forgotten that the peoples who lived on er segregating expressions, have had and these lands in antiquity were pagan socie- still have a great impact on Kosovan socie- ties, and even today there are many symbols ty. In addition, Kosovan society is still isolat- or social events that still carry elements of ed (for various political reasons, both exter- paganism, and perhaps this is the reason for nal and internal), and Kosovars enjoy little such interfaith tolerance. freedom of movement, as Kosovo does not yet have visa liberalization, and this creates Based on 2017 statistics, Kosovo has 800 fertile ground for religious ideologies and mosques, 150 Orthodox churches, 50 Ro- destructive politics to indoctrinate people, man Catholic churches, and 24 Protestant especially young people. Thus, peace and churches. There are also the traces of a vari- tolerance are not to be taken for granted, ety of religions and their number and diver- but they are states that must be perma- sity make Kosovan society very attractive, nently cultivated and for this, every indi- and Kosovo a very interesting place. It is of vidual, every religion, every politician and interest to note that in Kosovo the various political party has a responsibility. Every religious holidays are observed ceremonially society has a responsibility too, because, as and joyously not only by the clergy, but also we have seen in recent years, the negative across Kosovan society. Regardless of which events that take place in a given country religion they belong to, during the holidays or society will not necessarily affect other people in Kosovo congratulate each other countries or societies. Therefore, living for and express solidarity. peace and in peace requires daily work. The day we stop working on this will be the last However, Kosovo and its people are not im- day of peace and the beginning of a nega- mune to developments taking place in Eu- tive period for everyone.  KOSOVO’S CONNECTION WITH THE DIASPORA

by Liza Founder of GERMIN (www.germin.org)

During the in 1999, over 700 many, Switzerland, Austria, France, the UK, 000 ethnic Albanians, around 100 000 ethnic and the US. Serbs and more than 40 000 Bosniaks were forced out of Kosovo to neighboring coun- During the struggles of the ’eighties and tries, including Albania, Bosnia. Macedonia, ’nineties, the diaspora was very involved in , and Serbia. After the United the affairs of Kosovo and alleviated many of Nations took over administration of Kosovo the hardships. Moreover, the Kosovo diaspo- following the war, many of the Albanian refu- ra has been and continues to be a great con- gees returned. The largest diaspora commu- tributor to the economy of the country most- nities of Kosovar Albanians are in Germany ly through remittances (15% of GDP), but to and Switzerland, amounting to 200 000 indi- a lesser extent through investments and the viduals in each country, or 20% of Kosovo’s circulation of talent. The Kosovo diaspora is resident population. geographically widespread and heterogene- ous. These are people of various ages, differ- Due to growing potential, countries across ent professions, and different generations of the globe are exploring ways to rekindle migration and they present different motiva- the connection of their diasporas with their tions and reasons to stay connected to Koso- homeland. In the case of Kosovo, studies vo. Since Kosovo’s diaspora is concentrated suggest that every third household in Koso- mainly in countries of the western hemi- vo has at least one family member living sphere, they are to a large extent attuned to abroad. It is estimated that over 800 000 new tools of communication and technology. people live outside of Kosovo. 98% of mi- grants have legal status in their country of Hence, in the youngest republic in Europe, residence and 89% are believed to have full- there are great opportunities for the dias- time jobs. Some of the most common desti- pora to become a powerful voice for their nations for emigrants from Kosovo are Ger- political, social, and economic rights through  40 | 41 KOSOVO’S CONNECTION WITH THE DIASPORA

 modern technologies and informal channels strengthen linkages between the diaspora, for collective advocacy. The United Nations citizens, and governments in the Western 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda has Balkans. stressed the importance of harnessing the contributions of transnational migrants. To With the advancement of technology, it is this end, for example, the diaspora-focused much easier now to know and recognize the NGO, Germin, aims to engage the diaspora diaspora, and to mobilize them to remain beyond remittances and into policy-making, engaged with their homeland. This does not social innovation, market linkages, business need to start from scratch, as there are many and economic engagement, philanthropy great examples to be followed, including Ar- and the institutional framework, striving to menia, , , and Slovenia. Among explore ICT channels to better facilitate and the majority-Albanians states in the Balkan Peninsula, Kosovo was the first to establish works, aiming to connect diaspora business- a Ministry of the Diaspora, later renamed as es and create joint partnerships between the Ministry of Diaspora and Strategic Invest- them, to invest in Kosovo. ments, and now as a part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora. There has now Despite the establishment of institutional been a shift in institutional focus to the eco- mechanisms, Kosovo has not been clear on nomic side of diaspora engagement. This is what it wants beyond calling on diaspora also noted in the latest Kosovo Strategy for businesses to invest in the homeland while the Diaspora. In Kosovo’s Diaspora Strategy remittances generally go on consumables and other official documents, Kosovo recog- rather than investment. nizes the economic potential that needs to be put into the service of the country’s de- A good sign is that the economic-focused velopment. view of the diaspora shows that Kosovo does not see emigration only as a loss, but also While the Albanian government has organ- as an advantage that could be a bridge for ized two sessions of a Diaspora Summit, cooperation and development. However, the Kosovo government has organized only there is plenty of space to further advance Diaspora Economic Conferences and similar and strengthen the relationship between economic-related networking events with the homeland and diaspora communities. diaspora businesses. The former Ministry Nevertheless, this needs a serious approach of Diaspora and Strategic Investments of with a clear strategy and commitment, first Kosovo has also initiated and facilitated the from homeland institutions, and then from creation of Business Net- diaspora communities.  42 | 43 CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO

CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO

Freedom of religion  Civil society  Migration

by Florina Duli Sefaj Country Director-Terre des Hommes, Kosovo Member of the Kosovo Stability Initiative Board of Directors

Article 44 of the Kosovo Constitution and lition for Social Justice, etc., and the trend in Law No. 06/L-043, on Freedom of Associ- the establishment of such groups is growing. ation in Non-governmental Organizations Given that direct economic activity of NGOs guarantee freedom of association in Kosovo. is not allowed, recent regulation enabled so- This freedom is practiced through a range cial enterprises, as another form of associ- of organized forms of democratic action, ation into a not-for-profit legal entity, which manifested through organized groups such can generate their own funds to operate in as non-governmental organizations, com- Kosovo. munity groups, labor unions, people’s move- ments, faith-based organizations, profes- Association into Labor Unions is also guar- sional associations, foundations, think tanks, anteed by Article 44.2 of the Constitution of charitable organizations, and other not-for- the Republic of Kosovo as well as Law No. 04/ profit organizations. Non-governmental L–011 on Organizing Trade Unions in Kosovo. organizations (NGOs) can be formally regis- The Law does not make membership in labor tered as foundations, associations or think unions mandatory. Although the labor un- tanks, but the Kosovo legal system also en- ions are independent by law, in practice they ables the functioning of non-registered, ad are quite dependent on public institutions hoc or long-term issue-based groups such as given that they are only prevalent in the pub- environment protection groups (e.g. the Cit- lic sector. The presence of the labor unions izens Group for Protection of Badovc Lake), in the private sector is very thin, because gender equality groups (such as Marshojmë the Kosovo economy is dominated by small s’festojmë), or the NGO and labor union Coa- businesses, with numbers of employees be- 

44 | 45 CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO

 low the legal threshold of 50 that makes the doms) and the Mother Teresa Society had establishment of a union mandatory. A col- constituency bases across the country of lective bargaining agreement between the over 40 000 volunteers each. Gender-based government, labor unions, and private sec- organizations such as Motrat Qiriazi, and tor representatives was signed in 2014. A Tri- the Center for Protection of Mothers and partite Socio–Economic Council is mandated Children were among the first NGOs to reg- with social dialogue by law. Employers on ister in Kosovo. the other hand are organized in Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations. Over the last two decades, around 10 000 NGOs have registered in Kosovo. Out of Kosovo is characterized by a very vibrant civ- this number, only around 3000 NGOs are il society sector which enjoys a very positive functional and active. However, the total public image. The image is attributed to the number of registered NGOs includes sports current performance of NGOs, but also to clubs and federations. the role of NGOs that were established in the ‘nineties, taking up the role of public safety Activism and citizen protests, marches and net and health care system across Kosovo, rallies are commonplace in Kosovo, with when such public services were inaccessi- street protests often yielding quick public ble to most . At the time, institution responses. The right to protest human rights groups (such as the Council and to assemble is also guaranteed by the for the Defense of Human Rights and Free- Kosovo Constitution. Thematically, civil society organizations (CSOs) cover activities including policy and governance, service delivery, human rights, health care and services, education, infra- structure and economic development, entre- preneurship, initiatives protecting the envi- ronment, culture, youth, sports, innovation, and many others. However, with local philan- thropy not yet developed, most NGOs - with the exception of licensed service providers - are dependent on international donors and foundations.

The developed a Strategy for Cooperation with Civil Society 2013-2017. The strategy was reviewed and, based on the review findings, a new Cooper- ation Strategy for 2019-2023 was developed and adopted. The purpose of these two Strategies was to create a more enabling le- gal, institutional and financial framework for the cooperation between government and civil society, as one of the essential indicators of good, open and transparent standards of governance for a modern democracy, as well as to empower civil society to participate in the policy-making process, deliver better quality services and ensure un-biased moni- toring of policy implementation.  46 | 47 KOSOVO AS A COUNTRY OF RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE

KOSOVO AS A COUNTRY OF RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE

Freedom of religion  Civil society  Migration

by Nita Luci Ass. Prof. Department of Anthropology, University of Prishtina Co-Chair University Program for Gender Studies and Research

Kosovo has rich cultural heritage that not creased preservation and education. In 2017, only dates to prehistoric times, but is found the Kosovo Government adopted a ten-year expressed in creative, dynamic and diverse National Strategy on Cultural Heritage that contemporary socio-cultural practices and seeks to preserve and promote cultural her- locations. The architectural, aesthetic, and itage on the basis of sustainable economic, historical tangible and intangible heritage social and cultural development. Organiza- found throughout Kosovo speaks to its com- tions such as Cultural Heritage Without Bor- plex history, large-scale political and cultural ders in Kosovo continue restoration and en- transformations, and an ongoing and vigor- gagement of the public in support of rights to ous interest by citizens to engage with spac- cultural heritage and creative industry. Ec Ma es of heritage. Ndryshe continues to monitor, report and define possibilities for urban planning that The past thirty years, first of violence and places citizens and cultural and natural her- dislocation, but also abounding creative itage at the center. At the same time, archae- production, followed by state-building and ologists and scholars, but also artists and international interventions, have left lasting activists, research, collect, disseminate, ar- marks on Kosovo’s cultural heritage. Where- chive, and engage through traditional meth- as many sites of cultural heritage have fallen ods and new digital technologies to make into disarray, and digitization is in its infancy, cultural heritage relevant to the public inter- governmental and non-governmental insti- est. A short and in no way all-encompassing tutions and organizations and independ- list includes Oral History Kosovo – online ent citizen actions have begun vying for in- collection of life stories intersecting with the 

48 | 49 KOSOVO AS A COUNTRY OF RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE

 broader history of Kosovo and the world; ical and cultural/ historical) from the Koso- the Rilindja Archive - a digital collection of vo’s Archaeological Treasure exhibition. is Kosovo’s first daily newspaper; the Vushtrri currently kept illegally at the National and Fortress – restoration of the archaeological Ethnological Museums in . Ad- site dating to the seventh century; the Hari- jacent to the National Museum is the Ar- laq Fortress – excavation of a 4-6th century chaeological Park (or Lapidarium) which site; the Museum of Education – an online showcases antiquities in its permanent ex- platform of 1990s segregated parallel edu- hibition and includes a small amphitheater cation; Lirindja zine - 1980s BOOM and exhibition space for cultural and ed- showcasing part of Kosovo her- ucational activities, especially catering to itage, and graphic short stories, poems and youth and children. essays interrogating ideas of home. Another part of the museum complex is the Perhaps the most ubiquitous institution for Ethnological Museum Emin Gjiku. Recent- its role in the preservation, protection and ly listed among the most interesting city presentation of cultural heritage is the Na- museums in Europe it offers a permanent tional Museum of Kosovo, located in the exhibition that fuses the lived and experi- capital, Pristina/ Prishtina. Established in ential with the materiality of culture. Locat- 1949 and housed in a late nineteenth-cen- ed in two preserved Ottoman houses from tury building of Austro-Hungarian architec- the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, ture, the National Museum has a collection the museum exhibition is built around the of over 50 000 artefacts in its archaeolog- themes of birth, life, and death, where the ical, historical, ethnographic, and nature beliefs and values that have guided cultur- pavilions. A significant part of the museum’s al practices and rituals are animated in the collection, over 2000 artefacts (archaeolog- carefully curated narrative of the museum. The Archaeological Park – among ries AD, transforming into a significant politi- hundreds of archaeological sites dating to cal, economic and cultural center. Municipum the stone and ages, and more visible in Ulpiana Splendidissima was characterized by the Ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine lo- a network of roads - Cardo Maximus and De- calities – is one of the most impressive and cumanus - an orthogonal urban system, wa- better restored archaeological sites in Koso- ter supply, residential buildings and public, vo. For over sixty years, Ulpiana has been a sacral, profane and utilitarian structures. It location of excavations and study by local was a center of metallurgical, artisanal, trade and international scholars and students, and agricultural importance during the first and more recently the site has opened to the five centuries of the first millennium, and an public. Showing traces of human habitation important religious center during the rule of since the Neolithic continuing to the Bronze the emperor Justinian in the sixth century and Iron Age, Ulpiana became an urbanized when it was rebuilt and renamed Justiniana center several decades after the invasion of Secunda. During the period of Roman domin- the Dardanian Kingdom by the Romans at ion (first to fourth century AD) and Byzantine the end of the first century AD. The urban- rule (fourth to sixth century AD) Ulpiana was ized and fortified city of Ulpiana was found- one of the main connecting centers between ed and named by the Roman Emperor Mar- Constantinople and , intersecting cus ULPIUS Traianus (98-117), when it also roads that connected the Adriatic Sea with gained the status of a Municipal (Municipium the Aegean and indirectly the . In Ulpianum). It reached the height of its devel- 1993, evidence of trade extending to Haifa opment between the third and fourth centu- (Caesarea) in Israel was found in lead ingots  50 | 51 KOSOVO AS A COUNTRY OF RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE

 (rods) with the engraving Met(alli) Dard(anici) List of World Heritage in Danger. In Prizren, believed to be from the Ulpiana mines. the Our Lady of Ljeviš church is located in the city’s historical center. It was rebuilt by King Kosovo’s cultural-religious heritage is per- Milutin in 1306/7 but it is assumed that the haps most widely known as a site of political church was built over a fifth-sixth century tensions, often overshadowing the rich so- early Christian church and Byzantine basil- cial history, artistic and spiritual relevance of ica from the ninth century. After the fall of these sites to various communities. Current- Prizren to the in 1455, it was ly there are almost 2000 heritage sites under renamed Xhuma Xhami) and given the status temporary protection in Kosovo and only 23 of mosque by Sultan Mehmet II. In 2006, it under permanent protection. was also placed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger. Early Christian, Medieval and Ottoman herit- age abounds throughout Kosovo. Such is the In recent years, independent and civil socie- Gracanica Monastery, a Serbian Orthodox ty initiatives have also turned to preserving monastery built by King Stefan Milutin in Kosovo’s more recent historical heritage. 1321, on the ruins of a sixth-century basili- Artistic and multi-media productions sur- ca. In 2006 it was placed on UNESCO’s World rounding modernist and socialist architec- Heritage List, and as an extension of the De- ture and art, as well as 1990s social, cultural can Monastery site placed on the UNESCO and political activism and resistance, have animated the interest of local and interna- Nations Mission in Kosovo administration in tional scholars and publics. This interest has the early 2000s, hosts an artistic and cultur- in part been sparked by continued failures al program including film screenings. Kino to protect, or projects that undermined the Jusuf Gërvalla, in Peć/ Peja, and Cinema architectural and aesthetic, as well as urban, Lumbardhi, located in the historic center of creation of the socialist period, as well as Prizren, are both movie theaters run by CSOs the legacy of the 1990s peaceful civic resist- which together with citizens prevented mu- ance in Kosovo. Specifically, several buildings nicipal plans for demolition and repurposing. characterized by their brutalist and social- Both are used for varied cultural, artistic and ist-realist aesthetics have been lost, such public events, and serve as spaces that can as the façade of the Faculty of Electrical and create new and inclusive sites for heritage Computer Engineering, designed by Slove- protection and promotion. nian architect Edvard Ravinkar; the Rilindja (publishing house) building, designed by Despite the continued politicization of her- Georgi Konstantinovski; and the Kosovo As- itage, or perhaps because of it, strides have sembly building which was designed by Juraj been made to protect as well as expand the Naidhardt, Le Corbusier’s assistant. Howev- scope of cultural heritage protection and pro- er, three cinemas, relevant to the artistic and motion. While Kosovo faces many challenges cultural memory of the cities where they are in bringing to life its heritage strategy and located, are now under protection and run would be greatly aided if its UNESCO mem- independently in collaboration with local bership application were to be approved, public institutions. Kino Armata, located in Kosovo citizens, and its institutions, continue the center of Pristina/ Prishtina, adjacent to to engage and commit to inclusive, participa- what was initially the administrative building tory and creative solutions for Kosovo’s rich of the Yugoslav Army, followed by the United cultural heritage.  52 | 53 MIGRATION

MIGRATION

by Tahir Latifi, PhD Professor of anthropology

Kosovo’s household economy has been de- ern countries. Thus, besides the economic pendent on remittances from family members reasons which were distinctive for the first living and working abroad since the 1960s. wave of migrants, many of these emigrants That time was the first wave of migrants when left the country for political reasons. the main destinations were Germany, Switzer- land, Austria, France, and the Scandinavian The third wave of emigration began at the countries. The first wave of emigrants were outset of the 1990s. In March 1989 the Ser- mostly young men Gastarbeiter (guest work- bian regime abolished Kosovo’s autonomy, er) unskilled workers, working mainly in un- and in the aftermath the repressive regime qualified jobs. of Slobodan Milošević initiated a forced mass dismissal of hundreds of thousands of Koso- This situation continued until the 1980s when vo Albanians from their workplaces. Having a new phase of migrations began after Tito’s no chance of getting other work, many of death, and Albanian demonstrations in 1981. those who were dismissed from their jobs Political turmoil caused a new wave of emi- emigrated to western and northern Europe- grants which, unlike the first wave, included an countries, and even to the USA, emigrants from urban areas, students, edu- and . Many of them were young, cated and skilled workers. Because many of and their aim was not only to find a better life them had taken part in, or in some way had and work there, but many from the younger supported the 1981 demonstrations, many group were required to be recruited in the of them became targets of political persecu- Yugoslav (Serbian-dominated) army just as tion and had been arrested by the Yugoslav war was beginning in Slovenia, Croatia and regime. In order to avoid or escape political . This wave escalat- persecution, these people migrated to west- ed in 1998-1999 during the war in Kosovo. 

54 | 55 MIGRATION

 This was the time of the exodus (fourth wave) riod more than 119 000 people emigrated. In when about 1 million Kosovo Albanians were general, from 2013 to 2017 around 173 288 displaced from their homes. About 800 000 people emigrated, while 47 354 immigrated, were deported to Albania and North Macedo- meaning a net emigration of 125 934 inhab- nia, and the rest within Kosovo. Many of those itants. who fled to Albania and Macedonia - subse quently emigrated to Western countries. From 1969 to 2011, the number of emigrants and those of Kosovo descent was estimated The fifth wave started after the end of 1998- to be 703 978, while in 2018 the number in- 1999 war, from 2000 until present. Now, the creased to 854 198. Previously it was estimat- main reasons for emigration were different: ed that one third of Kosovo’s population lived reuniting families, as well as unemployment abroad, but due to the increasing number of and poverty. migrants in these last years, it seems that the

numbers go beyond that. Based on 2011 cen- The recent years have marked an increasing sus data, the preferred country for emigra- intensity of emigration, especially between tion was Germany, followed by Switzerland the end of 2014 and spring 2015. In this pe- (see Table 1).

Table 1. Percentage of Kosovo migrants according to leading countries of destination. Census 2011. Source. Kosovan Migration (KAS 2014)

European countries Percentage

Germany 35.25 Switzerland 22.94 Italy 7.26 Austria 5.61 Sweden 5.14

USA 3.53

France 3.25 2.79 2.07 Slovenia 1.78 Other 10.38

Even though almost a decade has passed issued for Kosovars in the years 2013-2017, it since the last census, the leading countries seems that Germany and Switzerland are still of migrant destinations are almost the same. the preferred countries for migration (see Ta- Based on the total number of Schengen visas ble 2).

Table 2. Statistics for Schengen Visas (2013-2017). Source: Profil i zgjeruar i migrimit 2013-2017

Country Number of issued visas

Germany 90 137 Switzerland 81 552 Italy 21 040 21 575 Slovenia 11 907

Hungary 9 043

Other countries 21 423 Total 256 677

It should be mentioned that the number of vi- er types of visas, such as for business, touristic sas issued is not only for those who emigrated and other purposes.  to these countries, but also those who got oth- 56 | 57 THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO

THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO

Public Broadcaster  TV Stations  Radio Stations  Print Media  Online Media

by Serbeze Haxhiaj Journalist

INTRODUCTION

As in every sphere of its political and social Television of Kosovo (RTK), while two pri- development, Kosovo has a short history of vate-owned broadcasters, RTV21 and KTV, media pluralism. Until July 1990, Kosovo had were established one year later. Nowadays, one state-owned broadcaster, Radio Televi- there are more than 450 media outlets in sion of Pristina (RTP), one daily newspaper, Kosovo. The number of journalists employed Rilindja, as well as some weekly and monthly is unknown as many media outlets do not magazines. In summer 1990, the Yugoslav provide working contracts to their employ- regime imposed its administration on Koso- ees, while the main organization for journal- vo’s media outlets by expelling all Kosovo ists, the Association of Journalists of Kosovo Albanian workers who did not accept cen- (AJK) counts more than 400 members on its sorship measures. An information black-out register. prevailed in Kosovo until the end of the war in terms of electronic media. Immediately The Kosovo media market is very small, but after the war, in September 1999, the United there is a large number of media outlets op- Nations administration in Kosovo (UNMIK) erating within this small market, although established the public broadcaster, Radio many of them operate with a small staff.

58 | 59 THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO

 Studies show that incomes from state institu- The pluralism of Kosovo media includes tions’ advertisements are the main financial around 30 TV channels, more than 120 radio source for many news portals, while private stations, 4 daily newspapers and around 300 advertising power is small and concentrated news portals.  in a limited number of media outlets.

THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER – RADIO TELEVISION OF KOSOVO (RTK)

Established in September 1999, Radio Tele- mainly on following the parliament’s work, vision of Kosovo (RTK) operates with four TV but this is yet to materialize. With more than channels, with RTK1 serving as broadcaster 900 employees, in 2019, RTK operated with for a general Albanian audience, RTK2 as a a budget of 11 200 000 euros allocated from channel for minority communities, RTK3 as a Kosovo`s budget. Since 2010, RTK has been news channel and RTK4 focusing mainly on ed- financed directly from the Kosovo budget al- ucation and culture. There are plans to estab- though approval is awaited of a new law which lish another channel which would be focused is being drafted. 

PRIVATE NATIONAL TERRESTRIAL TV STATIONS

There are only three TV stations in Kosovo with tisements, with lower annual budgets because terrestrial licenses to broadcast at national lev- there are no subsidies from the government. el via terrestrial signal: RTK, KTV and TV21, all All three terrestrial broadcaster have relative- broadcasting in Albanian. While RTK is mainly ly good coverage of Kosovo territory with just financed from the Kosovo budget with more some remote mountainous areas facing diffi- than 11 million euros in 2019, the other two culties getting the signal.  TV channels are mainly dependent on adver- PRIVATE NATIONAL TV STATIONS THAT BROADCAST VIA SATELLITE

KTV and TV21 are the only two of Kosovo’s pri- network in Kosovo, their main audience has re- vate national TV channels that broadcast via sat- mained in the diaspora.  ellite but with the swift expansion of the cable

REGIONAL TV STATIONS

In Kosovo, this kind of TV channel has lost its in municipalities which applied. Most of them meaning with the swift expansion of the cable are now part of the cable network platform and network. In the early 2000s, can be watched all over Kosovo where these op- Media Commission issued several licenses for erators are licensed to operate.  regional TV channels with territorial expansion

LOCAL RADIO STATIONS

There are seven national, seven regional, more incomes, but they are mostly based on adver- than eighty local and a handful of internet-based tisements and provide programmes for the au- radio stations. There are no figures about their diences of all communities living in Kosovo.  60 | 61 THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO

PRINT MEDIA

Following a period of blossoming, print media Ditore, Zëri, and , with an ex- are in decline in Kosovo in recent years, after the tremely low daily circulation. Their incomes are swift expansion of the internet and the rise of mainly dependent on advertisements. Weekly news portals which offer easier access to news. magazines have also ceased to exist for years. Currently, there are four daily newspapers, Koha

ONLINE MEDIA There are around 300 news portals operating in many of them are understaffed and republish Kosovo, with most of them having begun oper- stories from each other without any control of ation in the last five years when internet access the content, focusing mainly on politics, sports, became omnipresent among readers. Most and entertainment (showbiz).  online media publish informative content while REGULATION IN THE INTERNET MEDIA SECTOR IN Association of Journalists KOSOVO of Kosovo(AJK) agk-ks.org

There is no media law in Kosovo, although in Press Council of 2013 the Kosovo parliament approved a law Kosovo on the protection of journalists’ sources which presscouncil-ks.org allows journalists to remain silent regarding their sources of information, with some specific Independent Media exceptions. Commission kpm-ks.org However, there are some mechanisms that deal with media regulation and self-regulation. Kosovo Institute for Media Established in 2005, the Independent Media and Communications (IKMK) Commission (IMC) functions as an independ- ikmk-ks.com ent body and is responsible for the regulation, management, and oversight of the broadcast- Institute of communication studies ing frequency spectrum in Kosovo. On the other iks.edu.mk hand, print and online media are not regulated by law or any oversight body while the Press Kosovo Radio and Television Council of Kosovo operates as a self-regulatory rtklive.com body founded for and by the print media sector in Kosovo. Established in 2005 with the help of TV 21 the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, its mission is based .tv on the principles of the Press Code of Kosovo. TV kohavision.tv 62 | 63 CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

by Arbnora Dushi Folklore scholar, Institute of Albanology, Pristina/ Prishtina

In addition to institutional and architectural of preparing food and a rich menu, which sites, Kosovo’s rich cultural heritage is also -despite the great similarities with Balkan manifested through oral traditions, ritual and oriental cuisine - is also known for typ- practices, traditional costumes, and other ical local recipes. cultural activities whose practice has given them the status of custom and traditions. Weddings continue to be the most ceremo- nial family act, where the tradition of the groom going to his bride’s home to take her One of Kosovo’s oldest and most characteris- away, accompanied by music and dances and tic traditions is warm and generous hospitali- many guests rejoicing and dancing, is a cus- ty to guests and friends. The roots of this tra- tom that continues to be practiced in Kosovo. dition are ancient, embedded in the age-old adage, ‘The house of the Albanian belongs to Folk always accompany traditional God, the guest, and the master of the house’, ceremonies. This folkloric heritage includes and it continues to characterize the people epic songs, but also ballads which are still of Kosovo even today. Even if tourists ar- sung in certain ethno-cultural areas. The rive with skepticism on their first visit, they Rugova Gorge near Peja stands out; there, always leave with the desire to come back the traditional practice of playing the lahuta again, because of the warm and generous (single-stringed always hospitality they have received from local accompanied by singing) is still kept alive. people Part of this hospitality is the tradition The çifteli (two-stringed instrument) is still 

64 | 65 CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

 used to sing many folk songs dedicated to May, and the Anadrina Festival. Performing heroes and national historical events. in these festivals are professional groups but also virtuosos and amateurs, who compete The extremely diverse traditional cos- with high-quality performances of singing, tumes specific to particular areas in Kosovo, dancing, and the presentation of folk cos- the typical folk songs and dances of the area, tumes. but also performances of traditional rituals, are preserved and cultivated today through A new type of festival in Kosovo is Etno-Fest, folklore festivals, which have already gained which is an outdoor annual event that for a the status of traditional events. The most decade now has been organized at the end renowned are the Festival, which is of August in the rural setting of the village of organized every four years, the Has Festival, Kukaj. The purpose of organizing this festival which is organized every year at the start of is to preserve tradition, by using a historical setting and restoring the memory of herit- customs, but also their confrontation with age. Soloists and groups from all Albanian the trends of modernity, are researched and lands, including Kosovo, offer popular songs analyzed in research and publishing projects and other performances, exhibitions and of the Albanological Institute in Pristina/ handicrafts. Of a similar nature is Hardh- Prishtina. This scientific research institution, Fest, which is related to the tradition of founded in 1953, has departments of Folk- grape harvesting and is organized in Oraho- lore and Ethnology, which have researched vac/Rahovec where there are vineyards and and published several dozen volumes of wineries that produce Kosovo’s . folklore materials. Through analytical re- search projects, dozens of monographs and Being a culturally rich country, Kosovo also publications related to research on tradition- has state folk ensembles, such as The Na- al Albanian culture and comparison to other tional Ensemble of and Dance, ‘Sho- peoples in Kosovo and the Balkans, have also ta’, and the Rugova Autochthonous Folk- been published. This Institute publishes its lore Ensemble, which have been active for annual scientific journal, the Albanological many decades now. Research Folklore and Ethnology series, with that analytically address issues from Cultural heritage, folklore, traditions and traditional culture.  66 | 67 FOOD IN KOSOVO

FOOD IN KOSOVO

by Arben Zeqiri International consultant and global traveler (to more than 120 countries), and full-time foodie

Food is an essential part of everyday cul- would find in any other European country. ture in Kosovo. Big family gatherings are a common tradition and they usually revolve Dishes vary from lighter during the summer around food with traditional food recipes of- using lots of fresh local produce to rich meat- ten passed down through generations. Koso- based stews and pickled vegetables during vo is a small country which explains why its the colder days of fall and winter with plen- food – though it is a big part of everyday life ty of colors, and taste galore. One of the fa- in Kosovo – has not been recognized as one vorite dishes is of speca - roasted and peeled of the mainstream food types, as has hap- long green peppers, served usually during pened with Greek, Italian, French, and other the summer days when the peppers are at cuisines. the peak of their freshness. Peppers – which can be either hot, mild or sweet – are sau- Being at the heart of Balkan peninsula, Koso- téed in olive oil or sunflower oil until they vo has had its share of different influences start caramelizing, and can be served either from Turkish, Serbian, Austro-Hungarian, with garlic and parsley; dipped in eggs and Italian, and Greek. With lots of fresh pro- flour and pan-fried; or as a dip called speca duce, which is predominately organic, espe- në mazë made with local cheese (which is cially when one visits rural areas, the food is similar to young feta, and in certain cases based on fresh vegetables and meat which like an older ricotta) and cream. Traditional can be served as stews, salads, fried, grilled, bread called pogaçe, which is flaky and soft, and baked. is usually served alongside and used for dip- ping in the dish and for soaking up all the Most people still prefer buying from local juices. farmers markets due to the freshness of the ingredients. When it comes to meat, there Gjyveç - or, as it is also known in Albanian, are still butchers where most locals in cities turli - is a mix of fresh summer vegetables prefer to purchase their fresh meat. Howev- with tomatoes, peppers, onions, spring on- er, nowadays there are multiple supermar- ions, leeks, and zucchini which are pan-roast- kets (local, Italian, Austrian, etc.) offering a ed with black pepper, spices, and paprika, variety of local and international produce, and then baked until soft and caramelized from cheeses, to wines, to spices, etc.as you around the edges. 

68 | 69 FOOD IN KOSOVO

 Pies, (pite or burek; Turkish börek) are a big This list would not be completed without the part of Kosovo food. Pies come in different famous flija. The process for cooking flija is shapes and forms and they are also eaten painstakingly long, but the end result is a as fast food and can be found all over the delicious dish made from multiple thin lay- country in bakeries or little shops called bu- ers of batter similar in consistency to crepes, rektore. Some of the favorite pies are with with kajmak or cream cheese, and butter in spinach and leek (similar to Greek spanako- between the layers. Watching the cook pre- pita), cheese and cream, pumpkin with pare flija is fascinating. The cook spreads thin cream, cabbage sautéed in milk and cream, strips of crepe mix onto a round pan using minced meat with spices and pepper, po- the spoon starting from the outer edge of the tatoes with spices and pepper, and pickled pan towards the middle, leaving small spac- cabbage with spices and pepper, yogurt and es between the strips. The layers are then garlic. Another is called përpeç or qumështor baked by using a dome called a saç (in Albania), a delicious pie which resembles which is heated using and which bakes a cheese quiche - made of eggs, cheese, milk the layer of strips in less than a minute. Once and cream. this layer is baked, the cook will spread a thin layer of cream cheese, milk and butter, and on its own with feta cheese crumbled on top. then continue with spreading the next layer of strips, which is then again baked and so al- In recent years, traditional food has made a ternating between the two until all the ingre- big comeback in Kosovo, and many restau- dients are gone. Flija is a dish that requires rants have started serving traditional dish- sacrifice, skill and patience - the word itself es that in the past were typical home-made means ‘sacrifice’ in Albanian. dishes and not usually found in restaurants. Peppers stuffed with minced beef, spices and Corn is also a common ingredient in many paprika, and sarma cabbage rolls stuffed traditional dishes. One such dish is leqenik, with minced beef, spices and paprika, are a pie made with corn flour, milk, cheese, two traditional dishes which are served eggs, spinach, spring onions, and/ or leeks, when the weather gets colder, and can also which looks similar to corn bread, but with be found throughout the region and all the the added taste of spinach, cheese, and way to Russia. Stuffed zucchini with minced cream. Kaçamak is another dish which is sim- beef is another dish which is similar in prepa- ilar to Italian polenta. Polenta or corn meal is ration, however usually served during the cooked slowly with milk, cream, butter, and warmer days when zucchini is fresh. cheese until it is pretty thick in consistency, and it is served hot either as a side dish or Elbasan tavë is a dish which was originally  70 | 71 FOOD IN KOSOVO

 invented in Albania but adopted in Kosovo The smokiness of the dried beef together and even in Turkish cuisine. It’s a delicious with other spices like black pepper and pa- rich dish of either lamb or veal cooked in a prika, and caramelization from the slow traditional clay dish with yogurt, garlic, spic- cooking in the oven, makes this dish perfect es and cream until the meat is tender, juicy for winter. and almost completely falling apart. The tartness of the Greek-style yogurt, and the Mantia is another favorite dish among the lo- sweetness of the cream together with the cal population, served throughout the year, garlic and spices, fills your mouth with flavor, and consisting of filo-style pastry spread thin and the aroma coming from the clay dish – and filled with minced beef, onions, leeks, which continues to keep the food warm even garlic, spices, and sweet paprika, and then after it is out of the oven – elevates the whole rolled into little parcels which are baked in experience even further. the oven, and served with Greek-style yo- gurt, garlic, and cucumbers as tarator (tzatzi- Fasule në tavë is another dish which is served ki), or as they are. in traditional clay dishes. Beans are cooked over a slow fire with onions, garlic, carrots, Grilling is a big thing in Kosovo. Dishes like spices, black pepper, sweet peppers, and qebapa, qofte, or the Sharri qofte served with smoked beef jerky (which is locally called kajmak (soft cream which has the consist- përshut) until they start caramelizing around ency of cream cheese, but is actually thick the edges of the dish and it is all bubbling. cream just before it is turned to butter) and cheese, or suxhuk, can be found throughout every corner, and they are meeting points the country in small restaurants called qe- for friends, as well as places to conduct busi- baptore, dedicated to grilling. Some of them ness meetings. Coffee shops serve a variety have been in business for many decades, of coffees, starting with the famous macchia- passing their cooking skills and knowledge to (Pristina/ Prishtina has been voted as the from generation to generation. Qebapa, capital of macchiato), cappuccino, café latte, or qofte, are made of minced beef which is etc. Together with coffee you will find dishes mixed with onions, garlic, and spices, and which are typically served for breakfast and/ then divided into small little sausages and or lunch like llokuma (savory little squares of cooked slowly over hot which smoke dough made out of yogurt, eggs, milk, and the meat at the same time as it is grilled, giv- baking soda, fried to perfection and served ing the meat a delicious smoky, savory taste with yogurt and feta cheese), or krofne (sim- and aroma. They are usually served with flat ilar to French beignets) covered in a dust of bread called samun or pitalka, and a mixed sugar, perfect for a morning or afternoon salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and snack. feta cheese. Recently, a restaurant opened in New York Coffee culture has always been an inherent called Çka ka qëllue (a hospitality motto in part of Kosovo society. However, in the last the Kosovan home), where mainly traditional couple of decades, with the opening of many Albanian food from Kosovo is prepared. The coffee shops, coffee has become a univer- restaurant has aroused a lot of interest, and sal part of Kosovo culture. There are many dedicated an entire page coffee shops that can be found on almost to it.  72 | 73 WINE

WINE

by Taulant Gecaj Administrator at Elena Sh.p.k. corporate specialists in the wine and spirits industry

Kosovo holds great potential for wine. of 350-500m make this area an ideal spot to Grapevine cultivation has a particularly long make good wines. history in the country with numerous trac- es having been found which can prove that Stone Castle Vineyards and Winery is the this region has been producing wine for over largest and oldest winery in Kosovo, having 2000 years. been producing wines for almost seventy years and owning 650ha of active vineyards. The most ancient pieces of evidence for the It produces white, red, rose and sparkling existence of wine culture in the region are wine, using a broad range of grape varieties, centuries-old wine jars discovered by ar- including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, chaeologists in Reti Village in Rahovec and in Vranac, and Riesling. Helvetica Teqe. Vranac is the most traditional and authentic Today, Kosovo has plenty of grape varieties wine grape variety in Kosovo and the region. - both local and international - planted with Vranac wines are dark-colored and fruity, over 3 320ha of vines. The capacity of grape with notes of cinnamon, pepper, plum and processing is between 30 000 and 40 000 cherry, and are very well-balanced. tons of grapes yearly and the storage capac- ity is 500 000 hl. Besides Stone Castle Winery the Kosovo Wine Route will take wine lovers to smaller Kosovo exports 40% bottled and 60% bulk but not to be ignored wineries, such as Bod- wine, with bottled wines mainly exported to rumi I Vjetër, Kosovo Wine, Biopak, and Sefa. Albania, while bulk wine goes to Croatia, Ser- bia, Slovenia, and Germany among others.

INTERNET The Rahovec Valley near the cities of Gjakova and Prizren is by far the biggest wine region Stone Castle Winery in Kosovo, with almost 70% of Kosovo vine- stonecastlewine.com yards located there: an average of 270 days of sunshine, the Drini river and an altitude

74 | 75 KOSOVO AND ALTERNATIVE TOURISM

KOSOVO AND ALTERNATIVE TOURISM

The Battle of Kosovo – the Field of Blackbirds  Promotion of coffee culture  Monuments to American Presidents

by Muamer Hasani, MA in Sociology, Curator at the Sultan Murat tomb complex

No cultural or study visit to Southeast Europe, and especially to the Western Balkans, can be complete without Kosovo being part of it. Although this statement sounds just like pomp- ous advertising, it can be verified with a review of all that the country offers. Since Kosovo does not have a coast, then its offer has to concentrate mainly on cultural tourism, cuisine, eco-tourism, etc., and its menu can be quite wide and interesting.

THE BATTLE OF KOSOVO – THE FIELD OF BLACKBIRDS

Only a few kilometers away from Pristina/ year without any marketing. Prishtina, a battle took place in 1389 between the Ottoman Empire and a Balkan coalition, The monument in question is the mausoleum of which resulted in the physical and spiritual di- Sultan Murat located in the village of Mazgit and vision of Europe. Today, a monument stands is the oldest Ottoman architecture in Kosovo, as a witness to this event. European peoples dating from the fourteenth century. From the have names in their languages for this event. fifteenth century until today, there is no guide, The called it Amselfeld, and during geographer, historian, or pilgrim (most of whom the 1970s and 1980s the wine imported there have been westerners), who does not mention from Kosovo had the same name. How im- the Battle of Kosovo and the Murat mausoleum. portant this monument is in terms of history, Jean Palerne, in the second half of the sixteenth politics, culture, but also religion, is revealed century, Edward Browne, and Johann Georg von by some facts listed below. The tomb which Hahn, who would later be called the father of Al- stands nearby receives about 20 000 visitors a banian studies, travelled through the southern 

76 | 77 KOSOVO AND ALTERNATIVE TOURISM

 Balkans and visited the mausoleum. eve of the outbreak of World War II.

Edith Durham gained a great reputation among The winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature northern Albanians for her interest and support (1996), Polish poet Wisława Szymborska, in her for their cause. She was known in the mountains poem entitled ‘Reality Demands’, writes of the as the ‘Queen of the Highlanders’ and she trav- Kosovo battlefield, elled to Pristina/ Prishtina, and of course visited the tomb of Sultan Murat, and gives abundant ‘Reality demands details about its condition. Then we have Rebec- that we also mention this: ca West, author of Black Lamb and Gray Falcon, Life goes on. and also known as a critic, essayist, and feminist. It continues at Cannae and Borodino, West and her husband visited Yugoslavia on the at and Guernica.’ 

PROMOTION OF COFFEE CULTURE

‘God, please don’t leave us without coffee’ with the best macchiato in the world.

‘Where is the best macchiato in the world? It’s In Kosovo there are several theories as to why not in Italy?! Wherever you go in Kosovo you can our macchiatos are the best in the world, one of find better macchiato than in Italy,’ says the arti- them being that bartenders in our country have cle by Jo Piazza, which was published in October Master’s degrees. Perhaps this theory holds 2014 when Kosovo was declared the country true, but looking at the history we see that Alba- nians have a deep connection with coffee. lieved to turn you Turkish or Muslim. However, in a very short time it penetrated every corner Coffee reached Europe through the Ottoman of the old continent. The first Europeans who Empire during the second siege of Vienna (1683), laid their hands on coffee and made emotional when for the first time this ‘strange’ drink fell connections with it were not the Viennese, but into the hands of Europeans. At first Europeans the Albanians.  were skeptical about the drink, which was be-

MONUMENTS TO AMERICAN PRESIDENTS

Something interesting that could be shown as a Kosovo erected a monument to Bill Clinton tourist attraction in Kosovo would be the exist- in 2009, next to a store named after his wife, ence of monuments, boulevards, street names, Hillary. There is a Woodrow Wilson Street and and even shops named after American political just behind Clinton Boulevard are George W. personalities. There are seven countries out- Bush and Robert Dole Streets. From here one side the US who have monuments of American can walk to the bust of Madeleine Albright, the presidents: Albania, Cameroon, China, Great former US Secretary of State during the Clinton Britain, Greece, , and Kosovo. administration. This was erected in 2019, on the 20th anniversary of the liberation of Kosovo.  78 | 79 MOUNTAINS

MOUNTAINS

by Arineta Mula Alpinist, Mountain Guide Montalb

Kosovo offers a wide range of fascinating and deep, is considered one of Europe’s longest fun adventures, many of which are wild and and deepest canyons, and although lined hidden away from the world. It is home to the with quite sharp rocks, they can easily be Accursed Mountains range, also referred to as climbed through three existing Via Ferratas. the Albanian , which spread right across If you’re looking for a majestic view of the Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro and touch mountains in a different way, you just found the western part of the country from where it. you can hike to Gjeravica, one of the most beautiful peaks in the Balkans and surround- Go a little further south towards Priren/Priz- ed by glacial lakes. reni, and you will discover the Sharr Moun- tain National Park range which is 80km in Within this mountain range, and just twenty length and includes glacial lakes and peri-gla- minutes from the old town of Peć/ Peja, lies cial landscapes. Luboten peak is the first the mysterious and charming Rugova Valley mountain which stands as a pyramid fol- which covers an area of 32 000 hectares. It is lowed by other peaks, forming breath-taking huge, unspoilt and breathtakingly beautiful. long ridges one after another. The valley is also home to a small number of villages which in turn house a variety of guest If, however, you prefer skiing to hiking then homes and restaurants, all of which have be- you haven’t been forgotten. Nestled in the come famous for their hospitality and charm. Sharr Mountains is the ski resort of Brezovi- To learn more of the culture you simply have ca, and although this may not be St Moritz, to taste the delicious local traditional food, it has some superb alpine terrain providing the recipes of which have been handed down great free-ride and tree skiing opportunities from one generation to another. It just doesn’t on a par with anything you will ever find. get more authentic than this. If you love the wild, the untouched and the The , 25km long and 1000m breath-taking, you’ll find it all here in Kosovo.

80 | 81 SPORTS

SPORT

by Leart Hoxha Sports Journalist, Kosovo

As can be expected from a country with one and 2014 in Chelyabinsk), she also has four of the youngest populations in Europe, sport European titles to her name as well as the is very popular in Kosovo and lately we have prestigious World Judoka of the Year award, seen a further growth of popularity and im- which she won in 2016. portance, due to the successes of Kosovo ju- dokas and the national football team in inter- The Kosovo National Judo Team features oth- national competitions. er world class judokas like Akil Gjakova, Distria Krasniqi, Loriana Kuka, and Nora Gjakova, all Majlinda is Kosovo’s biggest sport- of them coached by Driton Kuka, one of the ing star on the international stage and one of best judo coaches in the world. In the next the most accomplished judokas in the world Olympics, judo is the only sport in which Koso- in this decade. Majlinda won in the Rio vo stands a chance of making it to the Olympic Olympics in 2016, in the 52kg category, in what rostrum. was a truly historic moment, since it came in the first Olympics where Kosovo participated Majlinda’s groundbreaking success and first as an independent country. Olympic medal was only made possible after the Kosovo Olympic Committee was affiliated Besides her Olympic title, Majlinda has been to the International Olympic Committee at the crowned world champion twice (2013 in Rio end of 2014, in a landmark event that started 

82 | 83 SPORTS

 the international recognition of Kosovo sports ify for Euro 2020, having managed on its first organizations and enabled their participation attempt to win group 3 in the UEFA Nations in international competitions. The process League D competition and thus gaining a pro- was concluded in the summer of 2016 after motion to UEFA Nations League C. FIFA voted to include the Kosovo Football Fed- eration as a member with full rights. Such in- The Kosovo national team plays in Fadil Vokr- ternational recognition came after 25 years of ri stadium, named after former Pristina and sports activity in total isolation, firstly in the Partizan Belgrade striker, widely regarded as period of oppression under the Milošević re- the best Kosovan football player ever. Vokr- gime in the ‘nineties after the breakup of Yu- ri, who also starred in the Yugoslav national goslavia and then in the post-war period be- team, was the captain of the FC Pristina team tween 1999 and 2014 when Kosovo was not that made it to the Yugoslav First Division in allowed to participate in international sports the ‘eighties, a highlight of Kosovo’s football events, for political reasons. success in the former Yugoslavia.

Football is the most popular of sports tradi- FC Trepça is the only other club from Kosovo tionally and its popularity has surged after that played in Yugoslav top division and once the Kosovo National Team started to play in they even qualified for the final of the Yugo- UEFA competitions. Kosovo is looking to qual- slav Cup. When looking back at sports tradition, boxing ganized and run by their respective national plays a key part in Kosovo. The Pristina Boxing federations. Kosovo’s U21 national handball Club won five Yugoslav titles, while Aziz Salihu team qualified for the World Junior -Champi won the bronze medal for Yugoslavia in the onship in 2019, marking the biggest achieve- 1984 Olympics in LA and Mehmet Bogujevci ment in international competitions. won the World Championship medal in 1978. The Pristina/ Prishtina International Half Mar- athon is the largest athletics event in Kosovo. Basketball, handball and volleyball are very This race has been organized annually since popular team sports with regular competi- 2001 and attracts thousands of runners from tions in both men’s and women’s leagues or- all parts of the globe.  84 | 85 THE FASHION DESIGN INDUSTRY

THE FASHION DESIGN INDUSTRY

by Anda Dika Fashion Designer and Producer for American Brands, Monitoring & Evaluation and Communication Associate at USAID Transparent, Effective, Accountable Municipalities project.

The apparel has a tradition tional continues to be in high demand of over 200 years, and it was once the second especially for ceremonial settings. Symbols of largest and most profitable industry after traditional clothing serve as an inspiration and . Considering the effective labor cost, a timeless concept that fashion designers in- qualified employees, and modernized equip- tegrate into the modernized styles that they ment, Kosovo offers a business-friendly envi- offer today. ronment for all investors who seek outsourc- ing of apparel production. The sub-categories In the last two decades, fashion design has that are identified within the apparel industry brought a lot of attention to Kosovo. What in Kosovo are: sportswear, work wear, jeans, once was seen as a passion is now incorpo- cocktail and bridal gowns, underwear, shoes rated into a business that many have and other leather products. chosen as profession. What used to be a home-based hobby where people elaborated In general, sewing and patternmaking is a on their artistic skills, has turned into an in- craft that has been passed down in families dustry whose products are in high demand in for generations in our country. Traditionally, the local, regional and international markets. Kosovar families used to have a sewing ma- Previously, in Kosovo we did not have facul- chine with which they would fulfill the needs ties that offered fashion design as a field of of their families. Besides being a necessity, study. However, the high demand of students families also used this skill to make traditional to study in this subject has created the oppor- clothing. As such, most of the designing, until tunity to study this field as a major in Kosovo recently, was seen in the unique handmade and the first step that new designers take be- elements within this kind of clothing. Tradi- fore joining the industry is to enroll for their studies in one of the colleges/ universities. garments with which they have drawn atten- Besides university degrees, some designers tion from all over the world. Products that choose to also follow intensive training or can be found in the designer showrooms are short courses by which they gain intermediate mostly custom-made and include jackets, artistic and technical skills. Some designers trousers, blazers, jumpsuits, tops, knitwear, have also studied abroad or have followed in- casual dresses, bags, bridal gowns, and cock- tensive or short courses in the region, Europe tail dresses. However, Kosovo designers are and the US. mostly focused on custom-made cocktail and bridal gowns. Usually, designers present two Fashion designers in Kosovo create ready- collections per year followed up with smaller to–wear, custom made and haute couture collections throughout the year. Kosovan de-  86 | 87 THE FASHION DESIGN INDUSTRY

 signers can also offer each client an individual ed Arab Emirates. The rise of the fashion de- consultation by which they create a desired sign industry has also created a new business look for them. Thus, comparing the outstand- opportunity for many in Kosovo selling basic ing quality of the customized creations to the and exclusive high-end fabrics. Designers of- price of their product, they tend to be highly ten visit well-known international fairs where competitive in the regional and international they get the supplies for creation of their new markets. collections. Their visits to these fairs also cre- ate business opportunities for international Being a labor-intensive industry, designers suppliers, who come directly from countries have successfully employed hundreds of peo- around the world to meet Kosovo designers. ple in their production facilities. These facili- ties are highly structured and composed of Besides working on their brand, some de- design teams, pattern-making teams, seam- signers also offer production of private label stresses and the personnel who take care of clothing. This concept has increased the in- handmade embellishments. In order to create terest of international companies from the unique pieces, designers usually import their US and Europe who seek production of small fabrics from China, India, Turkey, and the Unit- collections especially for bridal and cocktail dresses. What makes this business model Saint Helen Evening, the Stellar Awards, the interesting is that the minimum quantity pro- Gala, the Toronto Film Festival, the duced does not need to be high given that UNICEF Masquerade Ball, Vanity Fair events, most of the bridal and cocktail gowns are cus- the Venice Film Festival, the Vogue Beauty tom-made. International brands thus place Awards, movie premieres, music videos and orders depending on the demand that they live performances. Their names and pictures have in their stores. The labor cost is relatively have been part of the most prominent fash- low compared to other markets where haute ion magazines such as ELLE Magazine, Harp- couture or custom-made bridal and cocktail er’s Bazaar Magazine, Metropolitan Magazine, gowns are produced. Considering that the New York Magazine, Vogue Magazine,, Wed- fabrics are imported, the total cost of mak- ding Planner & Lifestyle Magazine and many ing a unique dress is not very low, yet it is still more. These designers have styled eminent competitive for the international market. artists of music and cinematography, and icons of the fashion industry. The presence of Most fashion designers in Kosovo present Kosovan designers in these events has gained their collections in their showrooms, which high levels of media attention through their are mainly based in Pristina/ Prishtina Some unique creations which, as well as serving as designers have managed to open up to three PR for their brands, has also promoted Koso- stores in Kosovo. Others have also successful- vo’s potential and skilled workforce.. ly opened their own stores in other countries. In addition, marketing their products through In conclusion, the fashion industry has great social media has offered them the opportu- potential for further development and expan- nity to have great exposure worldwide. Many sion. Clients from the region often visit Kosovo have secured a place in international show- to buy customized products and many others rooms where they are represented by sales order their desired looks through online plat- agents together with other designers. forms. Given that it is a highly labor-intensive industry and that there is demand from the lo- Kosovo designers’ creations have been worn cal and international market, existing brands at major artistic gatherings and red have great potential to further expand by events. In the last three years, their designs opening their own showrooms in other coun- have been showcased at events such as the tries and increasing the number of employees amfAR Gala, the Angel Ball, Arab Fashion within their companies. In addition, offering Week, the BET Awards, the , the private label production for other brands Canadian Screen Awards, the Cannes Film could also become an interesting division Festival, the EMMY Awards, Filmfare Glam- within this industry, which would attract the or and Style Awards, the Golden Globes, the interest of many international brands. Thus, Grammy Awards, the Latin Grammys, the the fashion design industry promises to em- Lux Golden Rose Awards, MTV’s Video Music ploy a high number of people in the upcoming Awards, the Oscars, the Pre-Grammy Awards, years, while promoting Kosovo worldwide and the Royal Order of Constantine the Great and boosting its economy.  88 | 89 KOSOVO’S MUSIC

KOSOVO’S MUSIC

by Visar Munishi Ethnomusicologist

Despite being a small country, Kosovo has er cultural developments, is shown by the been - and continues to be - a culturally archaeological discovery in 1968 in rich space, where music is an integral part in Skënderaj, of the ocarina flute which, ac- of everyday life. Being part of the Balkan cording to H. Mehmetaj, an archaeologist, Peninsula and living with other peoples has dates from the fourth millennium BC. Fur- made cultural exchange inevitable. Howev- thermore, the very early tradition of lahuta er, our cultural identity in general, and mu- singing of epic songs still continues within sic in particular, remain values that charac- our very rich folklore. Despite the political terize us as a country and as a people. tendencies to appropriation by neighbors, Albanian lahuta singing and our epic songs In this short article on Kosovo Albanian mu- remain some of the most important and sic, I will try to chronologically present those special values of our ethno-musical tradi- values that we have created over the centu- tion. ries, from folklore, through to rock. Until recently two very specific ways of singing were found In Kosovo. The first is Albanian musical folklore in Kosovo has the singing of men, known as Malsorçe or deep artistic roots, reaching back to antiqui- Majekrahi singing, often used to enable ty. The simple fact that leaves are still used communication over distance between two as a musical instrument tells us about the people. The second manner of singing is old tradition of musical practice. That Koso- represented by the songs of girls using their vo as a country has cultivated music as an fingers on their throats - the songs of shep- integral part of its culture, along with oth- herdesses, as they are popularly known. This kind of singing gained its uniqueness songs, erotic songs and many other genres, through the placement of a finger on the have been inseparable components of the throat to vibrate the larynx, whereby a spe- traditional Albanian environment. cial sound is obtained and a very specific kind of singing about daily life events, often We are known as a place where the tradition with poignant lyrics. of ‘town’ and ‘light’ music has taken a very important place in our taste and love for art Historical epics and songs about our nation- and culture in general. We have established al heroes, folk ballads and other genres of important centers of town and light music. our musical folklore, constitute the invalu- Prizren/Prizreni, Đakovica/ Gjakova, Peć/ able treasure of our musical heritage. The Peja, Pristina/ Prishtina, Uroševac/ Ferizaj, instrumental accompaniment of çifteli and and many other cities have become cultur- sharki instruments creates the typical feel- al centers. Festivals like Akordet e Kosovës, ing of the Albanian environment because Zambaku i Prizrenit, Kosovo Women Sing- these instruments, together with historical ing, and many other events of this type have epic songs, ballads, love songs, wedding been settings for our artists and  90 | 91 KOSOVO’S MUSIC

 since the second half of the last century. Kosovo Philharmonic - divided into the sym- Singers like Esat Bicurri, Ismet Peja, Liliana phonic orchestra and - was established Çavolli, , Shahindere quite late, i.e. in 2000, immediately after the Bërlajolli, and many, many other singers, war. Despite the success and very rich rep- have launched rich careers at these festi- ertoire of this institution, Kosovo has not yet vals. managed to have a proper hall that would meet the demands of the Kosovan Classical music in Kosovo occupies a very art-loving public. important place in the cultural ‘consump- tion’ of our society. We see the first small The Kosovo Ballet operates very successfully steps of development in the first decades together with the school which was estab- of the last century, with the organization of lished in the 2000s. Today, Kosovo is proud several and artistic groups. The open- of its artists who have created successful ing of music schools and then the music careers around the world, such as Elbenita department took place in the second half of Kajtazi, Petrit Çeku, Ramë Lahaj and many the twentieth century. For various reasons, other artists.  the highest institution of classical music, the During the ‘sixties, a new stream of music Armadillo Blues , Xuxi with XXL, Mar- started in Kosovo; rock lived its heyday in igona, then later, Jericho, Cute Babulja, Zig the ‘eighties. Over these years, a large num- Zag Orchestra and many other bands, have ber of rock bands were established, which enriched the country’s cultural life, while at created their own identity, and at the same the same time reflecting the reality of life in time the collective identity of Kosovo rock. Kosovo. In addition to rock bands and oth- The first years of rock in our country be- er artists of various musical genres, today, longed to bands like Modestët, Mak, then on the world stage of pop and modern mu- Gjurmët, Minatori, 403, Telex, Lindja and sic, Kosovo is represented by artists who many others. During the parallel life of the have climbed to the top of world charts, ‘nineties and after the 2000s, a new gener- such as , , and ation of well-known rockers has emerged many others.  in Kosovo. Bands like Troja, BB Poqi with PICTURE CREDITS

Cover Arben Llapshtica p.65 Arben Llapshtica p.3 Arben Llapshtica p.67 ckakaqellu.com p.13 Arben Llapshtica p.69 Arben Llapshtica p.15 Arben Llapshtica p.71 Bujar Gashi p.19 Arben Llapshtica p.72 pixabay.com p.20 shutterstock.com p.73 wikipedia.org p.23 Arben Llapshtica p.75 Arben Llapshtica p.25 wikipedia.org p.77 Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports p.26 eeas.europa.eu p.78 Armando Babani p.29 wikipedia.org p.79 Shpend Ahmeti p.31 Arben Llapshtica p.81 usaid.gov p.33 Arben Llapshtica p.82 Driton Rukovici p.35 Arben Llapshtica p.85 wikipedia.org p.37 Arben Llapshtica p.86 Arben Llapshtica p.39 Arben Llapshtica p.87 Armend Nimani p.40 Arben Llapshtica p.41 Arben Llapshtica p.43 Visar Kryeziu p.44 Arben Llapshtica p.47 Arben Llapshtica p.48 wikipedia.org p.49 Arben Llapshtica p.50 Arben Llapshtica p.51 Arben Llapshtica p.53 Arben Llapshtica p.59 Arben Llapshtica p.60 Arben Llapshtica p.61 Arben Llapshtica p.63 wikimedia.org p.64 ckakaqellu.com BIBLIOGRAPHY

AT A GLANCE German Federal Government (2014) Final Declaration by the Chair of the Conference on the Western Balkans, https://ask.rks-gov.net/media/3155/kosovo-water-sta- Berlin. Available from: https://archiv.bundesregierung. tistics-2015.pdf de/archiv-de/meta/startseite/final-declaration-by- the-chair-of-the-conference-on-the-western-bal- http://www.fao.org/3/k9589e/k9589e09.pdf kans-754634 https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Koso- Goldstein, J., Pevehouse, J. (2010). International Rela- vo_2016.pdf tions. Ninth Edition. Longman. http://www.sustainicum.at/files/projects/358/en/hand- Government of the Republic of Kosovo. https://kryemi- outs/PlanBound_handout_ClimateChange.pdf nistri-ks.net/en/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160516123957/http:// International Court of Justice. https://www.icj-cij.org/ sidaenvironmenthelpdesk.se/wordpress3/wp-content/ en/case/141 uploads/2013/04/Environmental-policy-brief-Koso- vo-2008.pdf Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Kosovo. https://www.mfa-ks.net/ http://www.jeb.co.in/journal_issues/201204_apr12_ supp/paper_04.pdf Ministry of European Integration. https://www.mei-ks. net/

FOREIGN POLICY North Atlantic Treaty Organization. https://www.nato. int/ Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo. 9 April 2008. Regional Cooperation Council. https://www.rcc.int/ Constitution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugo- slavia (SFRY) of 1974 UN Security Council Resolution 1244. 10 June 1999

Declaration of Independence of Kosovo. 17 February UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari. Comprehensive Pro- 2008 posal for the Kosovo Status Settlement. 26 March 2007

European Commission (2018) A credible enlargement Weller, M. (2009). Contested Statehood. Kosovo’s Strug- perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the gle for Independence. Oxford University Press. Western Balkans. Available from: https://ec.europa. eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/communica- tion-credible-enlargement-perspective-western-bal- THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEM kans_en.pdf http://www.kuvendikosoves.org/eng/home/ European Commission, “2016 Economic Reform Programmes of Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic https://president-ksgov.net/ of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo*, The Commission’s Overview https://kryeministri-ks.net/en/ and Country Assessments”, Institutional , no. 28, July 2016. Doi: 10.2765/6287. Available from : Constitutional Court: http://gjk-ks.org/en/ https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/ publication/f00b378f-4807-4c87-8c36-92f02aabdd3a/ Kosovo Judicial Council: http://gjk-ks.org/en/ language-en State Prosecutor: https://www.rks-gov.net/EN/f46/judi- European External Action Service. https://eeas.europa. ciary/state-prosecutor eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en

Kosovo Prosecutorial Council: http://www.kpk-rks.org/ Kosovo Agency of Statistics (2014): Kosovan Migration, en/prokurorit/87/prokurori-i-shtetit/87 Pristina/ Prishtina, http://ask.rks-gov.net/media/1380/ kosovan-migration-2014.pdf.

KOSOVO’S CONNECTION WITH THE DIASPORA Latifi, T. (2018): Migrimi dhe familja trans-nacionale: roli i remitencave në ruajtjen e kohezionit social në familjen IOM, UNDP Promote Diaspora Investment in Kosovo kosovare [Migration and transnational family: the https://www.iom.int/news/iom-undp-promote-diaspo- role of remittances in maintaining social cohesion in ra-investment-kosovo Kosovar family], in Studime shoqërore, no. 4, ASHAK.

The United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Republika e Kosovës – Autoriteti Qeveritar për Migrim Agenda https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc. 2018: Profil i zgjeruar i migrimit 2013-2017, Prishtina. asp?symbol=A/RES/70/1&Lang=E Republika e Kosovës – Autoriteti Qeveritar për Migrim ‘The strategy for the Diaspora’, Ministry of Diaspora of 2018: Profil i lehtë i migrimit, Prishtina. the Republic of Kosovo (2013) https://bit.ly/356eSlP

THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO www.rtklive.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/775399109537577/ www.rtv21.tv https://www.instagram.com/marshojmesfestojme/?fb- clid=IwAR2a9EodQpB7xUDkxqcJuAQqqHmVPIRUaAk- www.kohavision.tv 4pMsa86mcPcP6ILEjj1u0A5I Association of Kosovo Journalists (AJK) http://agk-ks. https://www.facebook.com/pg/Coalition-for-Social-Jus- org/ tice-1465546263680646/community/?ref=page_internal Press Council of Kosovo https://presscouncil-ks.org/ https://grasks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Fi- Independent Media Commission http://www.kpm-ks. nal-report-english.pdf org/ http://www.civikos.net/repository/docs/Strategy_ Kosovo Institute for Media and Communications (IKMK) eng_291507.pdf https://ikmk-ks.com/ https://grasks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Fi- nal-report-english.pdf WINE http://www.civikos.net/repository/docs/Strategy_ Deva F. (2007), ‘A future wine cluster in Kosovo?’, MSc. eng_291507.pdf thesis, Blekinge Institute of Technology (Karlskrona, Sweden).

MIGRATION World Investment News, www.Winne.com

Republika e Kosovës – Autoriteti Qeveritar për Migrim, What does Kosovo export to other countries, source: Profil i zgjeruar i migrimit 2013-2017, Prishtina, (2018) https://kosovodata.com/ 6. Stone Castle Winery, www.StonecastleWine.com Republika e Kosovës – Autoriteti Qeveritar për Migrim, Profil i lehtë i migrimit 2018, Prishtina, (2018) 12.

Dahinden, J. (2013): Albanian-speaking migration, mid- 19th century to present in The Encyclopedia of Global Human Migration. IMPRINT

Title Republic of Kosovo, Facts and Figures

For the publishers Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung German-Kosovar Business Association

Authors Jeta Krasniqi Valon Murtezaj Naim Huruglica Dritan Dragusha Liza Gashi Florina Duli Nita Luci Tahir Latifi Serbeze Haxhiaj Arbnora Dushi Arben Zeqiri Taulant Gecaj Muamer Hasani Arineta Mula Leart Hoxha Anda Dika Visar Munishi

Coordination Granit Tërnava Greta Kazia

Proofreading Elizabeth Gowing

Design Dejan Kuzmanovski

Printing Envinion

This publication is available at http://www.kas.de/Kosovo/

Note The viewpoints presented in this publication do not reflect the positions of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and the German-Kosovar Business Association, and are rather personal stances of the authors. GETTING AROUND

Useful information for travelers

Passports and Visas: Foreign By Bus: Buses are most common to Accommodation: All categories citizens are required to have a valid get around in the country. There are of accommodation are available, passport to enter Kosovo. Citizens various and frequent domestic inter- starting from private holiday homes of EU Member States do not need a city connections. Some are fast and and private apartments, to five-star Kosovo visa if they enter the country direct, while other make stops on hotels of major hotel chains. as tourists. You may visit or transit their routes. There are also regular Some private accommodations only Kosovo without a visa for up to 90 international lines to Albania, Germa- accept cash payments. Youth hostels days within 6 months with a valid ny, Croatia, , etc. offer competitive prices for budget travel document. sap-rks.com travelers. For further information, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Travel by car: Kosovo has some Money and currency: Legal tender affairs at: roads under construction. The is Euro, no other currency is accept- mfa-ks.net maximum speed is 80 Km/H in high- ed. There are many ways, 60km/h in the main roads and exchange offices that do not charge By air: Kosovo has one international 35km/h in the urban areas. Speed commission. A passport is required airport in Pristina. 15 airlines operate limits on some parts of the roads are for currency exchange at any bank. regular scheduled and charter flights set at maximum 130km/h and roads Cash is available 24/7 from cash to and from Pristina. The Pristina air- are clearly signposted. There are , and all major credit cards port is connected with the city center 2 motorways in Kosovo, R6 (Arbër are accepted. Prices in stores include by regular bus line (1A) with a cost 3 Xhaferi) which links Pristina with VAT (18%). Euro /person/ one-way ticket. A taxi , it is still under construction costs 15 euros approximately, and and the second one is R7 (Ibrahim Emergency phone numbers: the trip takes about 30 minutes. Rugova) which links Pristina with Police: 92 (landline) airportpristina.com Albania. Drivers must use headlights 192 (cell phone) at all time and have the fist-aid kit 922 (cell phone) By Rail: Kosovo has not a developed and yellow vest. From November domestic railway system. Kosovo’s 15–cars should have snow chains. Firefighters: 93 railway transportations have the Travelling by car is the best way to Hospital Emergency: 94 following daily schedules: explore Kosovo. Car hire companies The local train – travels every day offer competitive prices. : Kosovo has CET. from Peja to Pristina and vice versa. beinkosovo.com Clocks are set to summer time While there is also an international (plus one hour) between March and daily line from Pristina to Skopje. October. The free movement train – travels from Hani i Elezit to Fushë Kosovë : The voltage is 230 and vice versa. trainkos.com

REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO FACTS AND FIGURES

REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO You can read everything you need to know about Kosovo today in “Republic FACTS AND FIGURES of Kosovo facts and figures”. From historical turning points to how the political system works: this book covers numerous aspects of everyday life, including economy, education, foreign policy, culture and the arts, tradition,

gastronomy, and many other topics. 2020

A practical handbook, it gives you facts as well as hints on how best to enjoy Kosovo and the many places of interest that it offers.

This insightful publication includes Foreign policy · Society descriptions that are easy to follow, as well as charts, tables, illustrations and photos, making it a must-have for everyone who wants to learn more about modern life in Republic of Kosovo. · Economy · Culture

2020