20/05/2015
Kosovar Center for Security Studies (KCSS), on Monday,18th of May 2015 has organized the conference entitled: “Destination NATO: Kosovo’s Alternatives towards NATO Membership”. In this conference was launched the policy paper of KCSS with the latest findings regarding the relations, key challenges and existing complex between Kosovo institutions and NATO structures.
Invited as panelist in this conference was Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Enver Hoxhaj, who spoke about the challenges of security sector in Kosovo, in particular the process of Kosovo's membership in NATO. Hoxhaj said that Kosovo Armed Forces should be established as soon as possible, and that Kosovo should join in some other security organizations as the Adriatic Charter (A-5).
Through this report the author aims to provide options and alternatives in regard to the ways in which Kosovo can move forward. The report contains two scenarios and tangible recommendations addressed to the Kosovo institutions and NATO to begin official cooperation between two parties. Besides this, the focus of this paper is to have an impact on the Kosovo institutions by encouraging them to take bold steps in stimulating full cooperation with its friendly NATO member countries.
This KCSS’ research has highlighted that the membership process of Kosovo towards NATO is challenged by external and internal impediments. Kosovo is the only country in the region of the Western Balkans left out of the NATO enlargement process. Furthermore, the country has not established any official or contractual cooperation and relations with NATO. This is due to non-recognition of Kosovo by four NATO member countries, NATO’s neutral stance towards the state of Kosovo since its Declaration of Independence on 17 February 2008 as well as NATO’s commitment that its peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (KFOR) to operate within the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.
The conference was attended by independent experts and researchers from Kosovo, a number of politicians, scholars, professionals, academics and civil society representatives to discuss issues related to the prospect of Kosovo and its institutions to integrate into NATO.
