3/02/2017
Kosovar Centre for Security Studies, on Thursday, February 2nd 2017, organized a one day conference entitled “Kosovo in Regional Context: Alternatives towards the dialogue with Serbia, and balance of military powers in the region”
This conference aims to provide answers concerning the future of the dialogue with Serbia and the balance of military powers in the region by bringing together a number of policymakers, researchers, academics, and civil society representatives to discuss the main findings of the publication on Regional cooperation, dialogue with Serbia. A special focus in the panel discussions will be given to discussions of potential alternatives that Kosovo has in relation to the dialogue with Serbia, the growing military powers in the region, and the need to transform the Kosovo Security Force into Kosovo Armed Forces.
Invited on the first panel "Kosovo in relation to Serbia: What are the alternatives for the dialogue?" Were:
Naim Rashiti - Civil Society activist, Executive Director of the Balkan Policy Research Group, Dardan Velija – Columnist, and Milica Andric – Progam Director in NGO Aktiv. Panel was moderated by the Director of KCSS, Florian Qehaja while the panel aimed to discuss about:
• What were the biggest failures of the Government of Kosovo in relation to the dialogue with Serbia?
• What would ensure better implementation of agreements signed in Brussels?
• Who has benefited more from the dialogue? Will there be winners from this process, and what will future scenarios bring?
• What are the alternatives for Kosovo, will there be a reformation, and what reformation means?
Whereas, invited on the second panel “Military capacity building in the region – calling for the transformation of KSF” were:
Mr. Nuredin Ibishi – Deputy, Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Agim Musliu – Analyst, Mr. Bislim Zyrapi –Advisor of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, and Mr. Fadil Hadergjonaj – Military Advisor, Ministry of Kosovo Security Forces.
Topics for discussion:
• Is the region threatened by the increased military capacity – the arms race between Croatia and Serbia?
• How can Kosovo prepare for potential military threats from Serbia, and instability in the region?
• Is Kosovo ready to begin the process of transformation of the KSF into Kosovo Armed Forces?
• What are the main challenges holding back this process?
