Policies In Kosovo Research Articles

Management and dynamics of employment and remittance, and the impact of remittance on employment – case study Republic of Kosovo

In addition to other indicators, improvements in the performance of the labor market, improvements in the performance of remittances, and improvements in the performance of the management of labor market policies and remittances in Kosovo all play important roles in the economic development of Kosovo. The primary goal of this study is to evaluate and compare the dynamics of employment and remittances, as well as to determine the impact of remittances on employment growth in the Republic of Kosovo. In the present study, we examined the dynamics of employment and remittances during the last decade, empirically examined the influence of remittances on employment, and conducted an analysis of employment and remittance policy in Kosovo. According to the findings, the highest number of employees in Kosovo from 2012 - 2022 was in 2022, whereas the lowest number of employees was in 2015. According to the latest results in Kosovo, the unemployment rate is 10.8%, whereas the employment rate is 34.7%. Remittances have had a significant effect on Kosovo's economy and citizens’ level of living. The value of remittances increased from 2012 - 2022, with the largest value occurring in 2022. Remittances in June 2023 were 123.9 million euros, which represents an increase of 18% compared with the same period of 2022. The hypothesis in this work is examined econometrically, and the empirical results show that the β1 coefficient value is positive, indicating that remittances have a considerable impact on increasing employment in Kosovo. The challenge with remittances in Kosovo in terms of expanding employment is related to their effective management with regard to creating new jobs. The report advises that policymakers implement more sustainable remittance and labor market management to enhance Kosovo's employment performance, among other things.

Targeting muslims beyond Europe: preventing violent extremism and radicalisation in Kosovo

Ervjola Selenica is post-doc fellow and adjunct professor in Terrorism and Counterterrorism at the University of Bologna and associate research fellow at the University of Sussex. Previously, she was post-doc fellow at Scuola Normale Superiore (Firenze). She holds a PhD in International Studies (University of Trento), an MSc. in International Development Studies (University of Amsterdam), a BA in International Relations and Political Science (University of Bologna), and a PGDip on Peace and Conflict (Peace Research Institute Oslo). Her research interests include education, international interventions, conflict, global changes. She has published at The Journal of Contemporary European Studies, Italian Political Science Review/Rivista Italiana di Scienze Politiche, Critical Studies on Terrorism, Globalisation, Societies and Education, and Journal of Southeast European and Black Sea Studies. The paper analyses national and international interventions on preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) and radicalisation in Kosovo and their underpinning rationales. The analysis seeks to understand how a country with a Muslim majority is targeted by P/CVE and counter-radicalisation policies. Furthermore, it seeks to understand whether these policies are informed by an understanding of violent extremism and radicalisation as underpinned by Islamic extremism and, if so, how they tackle and interact with the question of Islam in Kosovo. The article has found that P/CVE and counter-radicalisation policies in Kosovo are mainly externally driven and funded, rest upon the same preventative, anticipatory logic that has characterised similar policies implemented in EU member states, are informed by an understanding of violent extremism and radicalisation as ideological processes fuelled by radical Islam, and encompasses an all-societal approach combining hard and soft measures of prevention as those found in other EU and non-EU contexts.

Political and Security reasons as factors of implementing EU green policies and directives in Kosovo to align with the EU acquis and transition towards a greener country

This article examines the political and security factors that affect the implementation of European Union (EU) green policies and directives in Kosovo. As the EU aims to promote sustainable development and combat climate change, understanding these factors is crucial, especially in politically sensitive regions. The study utilises an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from political science, security studies, environmental science and international law to analyse the challenges and opportunities in implementing these policies in Kosovo. It critically reviews existing literature, highlighting key findings from international scholars on the role of political and security considerations. The article identifies critical factors influencing the success of EU green initiatives in Kosovo and suggests areas for future research. Through exploring research questions on the challenges, impacts and the role of international organisations and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), the article seeks to provide insights into enhancing collaboration between the EU and local stakeholders. Ultimately, the study aims to contribute to discussions on how green policies can promote stability, security and sustainable development in Kosovo, offering strategies to overcome implementation challenges. Keywords: EU Green Policies; Directives; Kosovo; Political and Security Challenges.

Challenges in Collecting and Reporting Health Statistics in Kosovo.

Statistical data play a crucial role in research, planning and decision making in the health system, especially in the formulation and implementation of health policies. Health policy, adequate health legislation and sustainable financing of the health system remain serious challenges for countries in transition and especially for the Republic of Kosovo. To analyze the challenges of collection, accuracy and accurate reporting and the impact of the accuracy of these health statistics on the creation of appropriate public health policies in Kosovo. This research is mainly based on a combination of qualitative, quantitative, deductive, analytical and comparative methods conducted by health workers at all three levels of the health organization and IT experts who were actively involved in some of the important components of our research. It is interesting to note that respondents gave typical scores for the security and confidentiality of medical data and statistics during the cycle of their collection and processing, with one score being 3 and the other 5, and 50% of respondents gave a score of 5 for the successful fulfilment of the mission and tasks established by the Law on the rational use of medical data and statistics to support public health policy. The research and findings provide sufficient evidence that Kosovar health data and statistics system suffers from serious deficiencies ranging from the legal framework, organizational structure, functional organization, segregation of duties and responsibilities, to a pronounced lack of human resources, professional profiles in the health statistics service and the necessary technology to perform the basic tasks in a timely and high quality manner.

The question of national identity and the immigration of Kosovo Muslims to Turkey during the Yugoslav communist regime

ABSTRACT This paper attempts to answer some questions about the Yugoslav communist regime's identity policy in Kosovo: did the authorities encourage Turkification of Albanians or Albanisation of Turks, and how was the issue of Turkish emigration from Yugoslavia to Turkey handled in the 1950s? Answers to these questions may also prove useful in discussing the question of the determinants of the nationality policy of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito. The study is based on the analysis of state documents kept in different archives in Belgrade, Pristina, and Tirana, and the relevant literature in Serbian, Albanian, Turkish, and English. It is my contention that the Turkish minority in Kosovo was in the first post-war years denied the recognition of its national identity and minority rights, and that its status largely depended on the Yugoslav communist leadership's strategy of subordinating Yugoslavia's national interests to the particular interests of the six federal and two autonomous units into which it was divided. I argue that the Yugoslav government implemented different policies regarding emigration to Turkey in Kosovo and Macedonia and that it sought to halt the emigration of Kosovo Albanians, as evidenced by available data.

Contested statehood, complex sovereignty and the European Union's role in Kosovo

ABSTRACT The emergence, longevity and resilience of contested states have redefined the relationship between sovereignty and territoriality. While fully-fledged states uphold the monopoly of authority, contested states seek to rewrite the sovereignty playbook and gain a seat among sovereign equals. This atypical antagonism, propped up by post-Westphalian statehood aspirations, has changed the way sovereignty is perceived and understood nowadays. Approaching sovereignty as multi-faceted, this article discusses contested statehood in the context of the EU's engagement overseas. Drawing on the literature of Europeanisation and complex sovereignty, it accounts for the influence of contested statehood on the EU's role and policies in contested states. Specifically, by delving into Kosovo's complex sovereignty (internal/external), the analysis measures the fluctuating impact of contestedness on the EU's employed policy frameworks and deployed crisis management tools unfolding a paradox that has defined the EU's foreign policy in Kosovo for years.

Review of Housing Policies in Kosovo from 1947 to 2021

In a period of transition, sudden and numerous economic, social and political changes led to an uncontrolled growth of cities in Kosovo. The rapid population growth and geographical expansion of cities challenged planned development, which resulted in an uncontrolled urban expansion. This paper includes a historical review of housing policies in Kosovo from 1947 until 2021. The research starts with the period after World War II, which marked the beginning of a trend of rapid construction all over Europe, both due to urban growth and as a result of the destruction of many residential buildings. It analyses the implementation of policies, laws, housing regulations in residential neighbourhoods and, in particular, multi-unit housing in Kosovo. The research also includes housing policies in some of the most developed countries in Europe, to give the reader a clearer understanding and comparison of European and Kosovar housing issues.

Legal Regulations of the Health Statistics System and Reflections on the Creation and Implementation of Health Policy in Kosovo.

Background:Health professionals and health institutions document their professional activities with patients based on health policy and legal framework. This creates valuable medical records not only for health institutions at the three levels, but also for scientific research purposes and government agencies that design policies, laws and strategies and implement and monitor these policies based on the health statistics that form the basis of these policies, as well as for the health system not only at the national level, but also at the regional and local levels.Objective:To analyze the impact of the legal framework for health statistics in Kosovo on the planning of health system needs, human and financial resources and other components related to the collection, analysis and processing of data and health statistics, and on the basis of these statistics, to develop sectoral strategies, but also other key strategic documents for decision-making in the health system of Kosovo.Methods:Decision-makers and stakeholders, as well as other staff involved in the system of health statistics at the three organization levels of the health system in Kosovo, including inspectors from the Health Inspectorate, were interviewed through specific questionnaires.Results:The analysis of the laws, bylaws and other provisions that regulate and directly influence the data system and health statistics in Kosovo revealed that the institutional role is unclear, the legislation is insufficient and in many cases regulations are missing, which are an essential prerequisite for the implementation of the legislation and consequently influence the insufficient decision-making process.Conclusion:The research and findings provide sufficient evidence that the Kosovo’s system for health data and statistics has serious shortcomings, starting with the legal framework, organizational structure, functional organization, segregation of duties and responsibilities, pronounced lack of staff, professional profiles and required technology, which in turn affects unreliable decision-making and health policy.

Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies among Municipal Staff in the Municipality of Prishtina.

Background: Some studies have assessed the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in different populations. Very few studies have explored seroprevalence in municipal workers, an important and potentially high-risk population. This study aims to determine the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in municipal workers, with the additional examination of the association of prevalence with various demographic, health-related, and epidemiological factors. Methods: We surveyed and tested for seroprevalence 418 public servants from the municipality of Prishtina, the capital of Kosovo. The primary prespecified outcome was the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, IgG, and IgM. Additional outcomes were crude and adjusted odds ratios of seroprevalence by different factors. Results: 21.1% of municipal workers tested positive for either IgM or IgG. Of these, 9.6% were positive for IgM and 19.4% for IgG. Data showed high levels of adherence to protective measures, e.g., social distancing in the office, but calculation of ORs did not show a significant difference between those reporting adherence to such measures and those reporting nonadherence. Of other examined factors, significantly lower odds were observed for smokers (0.52, 95% CI 0.28, 0.97), while municipal workers with infected family members had elevated odds of seropositivity according to both crude (2.19, 95% CI 1.34, 3.59) and adjusted (2.00, 95% CI 1.17, 3.41) ORs. Conclusions: Most answers from public servants demonstrated compliance to social-distancing policies in the workplace, but analysis of crude and adjusted odds ratios did not suggest a significant effect between municipal workers who followed these guidelines and those who did not. Results from this study help Kosovo policy makers in understanding the level of prevalence of COVID-19 in municipal workers and the effect of different factors on such prevalence. Results from the study could inform future decisions on the design and application of protective measures for municipal workers. Our findings should encourage further research to assess the extent of the spread of COVID-19 to other essential workers in Kosovo, including retail workers.

Inclusion and Repression in Turkey’s Diaspora Policies in Kosovo as a Tool of Loyalty Building in Religious Circles

Turkey is a prime example of the growing importance of diaspora related policies in countries with emerging power status. Based on reports, observations, and interviews with Turkish and Kosovar citizens in Pristina in February 2019, this article examines how Turkey since 2002 has created societal influence in Kosovo—a new and insecure country with which Turkey established relations since its inception—by using, among other things, the Presidency for Religious Affairs (Diyanet) for its diaspora policies. Looking at how the inclusive and repressive tactics of Turkish diaspora-building feed into each other, I argue that Ankara has expanded the boundaries of the Turkish state’s reach by harnessing religion (Islam) in addition to existing ethnic bonds (Turkishness), thereby allowing Turkey to create a diaspora out of a much larger group of people including non-Turkish Muslims. As a result, certain segments among the Sunni-Muslim Albanians in Kosovo have developed close relations with Turkey that may be employed when needed to police elements of the diaspora that are seen as oppositional. While Turkey’s “domestic abroad” has expanded considerably due to the initial inclusive outreach, it has also become more fragmented, more contested, and more unruly, delivering continuously diminishing returns in terms of regime security at home. Although the repression of disloyal diaspora members by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is aimed at stabilizing rule at home, it creates divisions in the diaspora and risks Turkey’s relations with the countries in which it asserts its authority.

Sovereignty Sensitivities and the Kosovo Crisis: The Impact of Domestic Considerations on Canada’s Foreign Policy

In 1999, Canada participated in NATO’s Operation Allied Force, a seventy- eight-day bombing campaign against Yugoslavia meant to end the ethnic cleansing of Kosovar Albanians. Officially, Canada’s interests in developing its foreign policy toward Kosovo were humanitarian and regional stability considerations. These were shared with the rest of its NATO allies. Thus, on the surface, it would seem that Canada and its NATO allies had similar concerns during the decision-making process around Kosovo. Digging deeper, an analysis of the primary sources available suggests that Canada did, in fact, have additional and unique considerations during the Kosovo crisis, namely national unity. This analysis amply illustrates the close interconnection between domestic issues and Canadian foreign policy. During the Kosovo War, Canada had to balance sovereignty sensitivities with humanitarian concerns. From the first time Kosovo was mentioned in Parliament on 18 November 1991 to the end of the Kosovo War on 11 June 1999, Canadian parliamentarians attempted to distinguish what Canada’s views on Kosovo were. Historians have likewise been occupied with the same task: distinguishing the Canadian contribution and position. Like the parliamentarians, not one of the Canadian historians who has written on the topic has questioned the official government version of what motivated Canada’s policy in Kosovo. They all credit a combination of humanitarian and regional concerns. Therefore, there was consensus at the time, and has been since, about what motivated Canada’s policy toward Kosovo. However, an analysis of the primary sources reveals that Canada did in fact have an additional and unique consideration during the Kosovo crisis: national unity. Canada’s domestic national unity issue influenced Canadian foreign policy toward Kosovo at every stage.

Prosvetna politika Kraljevine Albanije na Kosovu i Metohiji tokom Drugog svetskog rata

Kingdom of Albania’s fascist regime considered education as one of the pillars of its policy in Kosovo and Metohija during World War II. With the aim of spreading and strengthening Albanian national identity and culture, several hundreds of educators were sent from the “Old Albania” to Kosovo and Metohija. The Italian occupation authorities were not supportive of the educational policy pursued by the officials in Tirana, which often resulted in disagreement between the two sides. After liberating the province in 1944, the Communist Party of Yugoslavia decided to keep the teachers and educators who misused their positions to serve the Greater Albania cause, as there was no available staff to replace them. The paper is based primarily on the unpublished sources from the Central State Archives of Albania in Tirana, the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belgrade, the Archives of Serbia, and the Archives of Yugoslavia.

From Content- to Competence-Based Curricula – An Educational Account of Curriculum Policy in Kosovo

This qualitative study examines the changes introduced in curriculum policy in Kosovo in the latest curriculum reform of 2011. Framed by curriculum and didaktik education traditions theoretically, the findings reveal that introduction of key competences and associated learning outcomes in 2011 marked the most substantial departure from the previously content-based curriculum policy in place. It is concluded that European education trends provided the macro narrative and legitimation for the 2011 competence-based curriculum reform in Kosovo.

Perspektiva konstruktivističke nastave u srednjim školama na Kosovu - interakcija između subjektivnih faktora

Debate on teaching and learning in school-based orientation is becoming more concentrated. It is important to note that each study in terms of educational policy in Kosovo, requires a highlighted study because recent years have seen a struggle between the "progressive" and the "traditional" approach to teaching. Constructivist theory has to do with the construction and approval of the learning process in practice, for example constructivist approach in terms of learning requires pedagogy in "progress" or "active learning", it requires students to be engaged in practical activities and a profound thinking in search of meaning. It is also important to acknowledge that attention devoted to constructiveness in school may have served the educational curriculum, as well as the learning process of students. Constructivists put more emphasize to the knowledge that is in use rather than to the gathering of facts, concepts and solid and mechanical skills. Constructivist teaching enables students to build new ideas based on interaction with the ideas, concepts and previous knowledge they have gained from their life experience.

Impact of Sustainable Tourism Development on the Economy

Abstract Today, tourism is becoming more and more the main sector of the economy by generating financial income and creating opportunities for new jobs. However, as one of the sectors where the economic growth of the country is expected to be concentrated in the future, tourism has still not found itself in genuine sectoral development. One of the many problems that Kosovo's tourism economy faces today is the identification of a genuine tourism product development strategy, as well as the use of marketing strategies, which will orient towards the sustainable development of tourism. In times of market economy, unfavorable fiscal policies in Kosovo often become an obstacle to the development of tour operators, even when they have the capacity and potential for development. Kosovo's tourism economy, in particular, and the economic sector in general are dominated by small and medium economic operators, while large economic operators are still in the process of privatization, therefore it is required to find a favorable sector strategy which in long-term period will ensure the sustainability of tour operators, offering a diversified tourism product.

Reflection of public debt in financing deficit, capital investments and economic growth in Kosovo and level comparison with other countries

In this paper, we present the processes of public debt development in Kosovo for the period of its functioning, respectively from 2009 until 2018. There is no long history of it, but there is a dynamic constant growth. The methodology used in this paper is based on empirical study analysis, and the scientific literature we have elaborated has found that many thinkers who support public debt with arguments justify this non-fiscal instrument to finance the budget deficit as well as some others who object it. In addition to the international debt with 42% share, in 2012, the domestic debt began to function, with securities issuing at 58%. Along with the country's economic growth, we have also increased budget, and GDP growth. While every year we have an average economic growth of 3.2% to 3.5%. In 2013, compared to 2012, the budget increase is 1.96%, in 2016 compared to 2015 is 7%. In 2017 compared to 2016 we have a growth of 8.31%. In 2009, the debt-to-GDP ratio had a share of 6.12%, in 2014 it reached 10.65%, in 2017 the share of debt to GDP (GDP) was 16.63% and in Q3 of 2018 it was 16.92 %. In the countries of the region and the European Union we have different levels. Most states have a high level of debt to GDP.The study of the literature review was carried out using selected four databases containing publications. Research has been done to find out how much the public debt level is based on the specifics of the economy and fiscal policy in Kosovo. In addition to the dynamics of public finance development, public debt has also been realized.

The role of international organizations in the development of security sector in Kosovo: Advantages and constrains

Pursuant to UNSC Resolution 1244, following the war and the NATO bombing campaign, Kosovo was placed under an international administration, by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). After the end of the war, the course of the security policies in Kosovo was directed mainly by international actors. Basically, the security sector was non-existent, whereas the international military and civilian presence was responsible for the security of Kosovo’s borders and the protection of public order. The responsibility for security thus belonged to the international community and was progressively transferred to the Kosovo security institutions. While in the beginning, the takeover of security by the international community was a necessity in order to provide peace and stability, the prolongation of the delegation of ownership to local institutions created disadvantages in terms of timely and professional development. During international administration, the undefined political status of Kosovo influenced the security sector as an area reserved for the international community.

Fiscal policy and foreign trade as a determinant of economic development – focus Kosovo


 The purpose of this paper is to identify the role of fiscal policy in Kosovo, comparing with the Western Balkan countries, in the trends of economic development, which are related to the international market, and how to achieve the objectives of the economy of Kosovo, penetrating the foreign market of local companies, using fiscal policy instruments. Data processing is performed using deductive-analytical methods, describing and comparing research findings by commercial companies, extracting data and comparing official reports of national and international institutions on the role of policies analyzed in the Western Balkan countries and in Kosovo, and the results of the research are based on these analyzes. Each sovereign state has its own fiscal policy operating within the financial system of that country, which also influences the development trends of international trade, the same applies to Kosovo and the Western Balkan countries, where this policy includes customs tax, VAT, tax in personal income, etc. The government of the country, through fiscal policy instruments, creates conditions for companies to be as present in the foreign market as possible with their products, which impacts on the overall economic development of the country. achieved. The paper provides insights into the state of the fiscal system in Kosovo, how fiscal policy affects the creation of conditions for foreign trade development, where is Kosovo's economy is in relation to the Western Balkan countries and what are the steps needed to improve it. The paper provides real data on the state of the fiscal system in Kosovo and its full role in the development of foreign trade in relation to the Western Balkan countries.

All hands on deck: levels of dependence between the EU and other international organizations in peacebuilding

ABSTRACTThe EU seeks extensive partnership with other international organizations when it comes to security challenges. This is puzzling as the EU relies for its resources mostly on its member states. The relations between the EU and other international organizations have thoroughly been studied, yet scholars rarely question the actual rationale for partnership. We start from resource dependency theory which explains that almost all organizations are dependent on the resources of their partners. Yet we extend this theory by distinguishing between macro, meso and micro-level dependencies. To illustrate resource dependencies between the EU and other international organizations, we analyse EU’s peacebuilding policies in Kosovo, Mali and Armenia. By accounting for macro- and micro-level dependencies we provide a more holistic perspective than conventional meso-level explanations. Our contribution is therefore to expand the scope of the resource dependency theory and provide a framework to analyse dependencies between the EU and other international organizations.

POLICIES AND MANAGEMENT IN THE FIELD OF SECURITY IN KOSOVO

Writing for security and security policies in Kosovo is a special pleasure. As it is well known, the Republic of Kosovo is one of the newest states in the world since it was separated from the Republic of Serbia in 1999 after the NATO military intervention, internationally recognized as an independent state from 116 countries around the world it should be noted that only 23 European Union countries have been recognized as independent states by 28 as the EU has. Kosovo as a new country with about 1.8 million people has had great achievements in the field of national security. A serious problem is the non-recognition of Kosovo as an independent state from five European countries (Spain, Greece, Slovakia, Cyprus and Romania), problems which continue to this day because of Kosovo's need for support from these countries around the membership in International Security Organizations, where their vote is very important. Another challenge is the consequence of the first problem and not having the opportunity for the new state to join international security organizations (such as Europol, Interpol), mainly due to non-recognition by the five European countries, which mentioned above. A very important element is the control of Kosovo's territory by Kosovo's security forces, which is a constant challenge but with many achievements. It is worth pointing out that Kosovo's security organs are very well formed. The socio-economic situation and the global crisis that has affected especially Balkan countries, Kosovo is still in the process of pursuing its goals for its citizens and high security for foreign visitors.