SERBIA – KOSOVO: WHAT ROLE FOR CIVIL SOCIETY IN NORMALIZING RELATIONS?

In the scope of Professional Work Exchange for Enhanced Policy Dialogue program, Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD) has organized a one day long conference on the "Opportunities and Challenges for the Regional Policy Cooperation" on Monday, 30 March 2015 in Belgrade.

The main topics discussed at the conference were: International Perspectives on Serbia-Kosovo Civil Society Cooperation; Enhancing Policy through Civil Society Cooperation; Opportunities and Challenges for Regional Policy Cooperation and the Way Forward.

KCSS Researchers, Sofije Kryeziu and Plator Avdiu were part of the last and this year’s exchange program. At the Thematic Roundtables they presented the results of their exchanges and discussed future paths for collaboration with other organizations in Belgrade. During the exchange, Sofije has worked on the policy paper with the topic related to the progress and remaining challenges of the Albanian Representation in the Serbian Ministry of Interior, whereas Plator Avdiu’s topic is focused on Migration of the Kosovo citizens towards the European Union Member States.

On the other hand, KCSS Executive Director, Florian Qehaja provided a presentation about the Opportunities and Challenges for the Regional Policy Cooperation. The main points Florian highlighted at this event were the lack of the cooperation between the Civil Society Organization in the Region. Since KCSS from Prishtina and BCSP from Belgrade are one of the best examples of good cooperation between the think tanks of the two countries, Florian considers that the mutual cooperation is important and facilitates the access to the stakeholders in the other countries. Florian emphasized the need for joined efforts when it comes to capacity building and advocacy in order to create a productive cooperation. He stated that except NGO’s, regional cooperation especially in the security sector should be directed between the institution of Kosovo and Serbia, especially when it comes to Kosovo Police and Serbian Police since the EULEX will be withdrawing by the next year.