ROSE-ROTH

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NATO Parliamentary Assembly

93rd ROSE ROTH SEMINAR

SEMINAR REPORT

ASSESSING AND AFFIRMING KOSOVO’S EURO-ATLANTIC PERSPECTIVE

PRISTINA

22-24 OCTOBER 2016

www.nato-pa.int 21 February 2017

This Seminar Report is presented for information only and does not necessarily represent the official view of the Assembly. This report was prepared by Ethan Corbin, Director of Defence and Security Committee.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION AND SEMINAR OVERVIEW...............................................................................2

II. DAY 1 – OPENING SESSION..........................................................................................................2

III. SESSION 1: EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND THE REFORM PROCESS...................................4

IV. SESSION 2: THE BELGRADE-PRISTINA DIALOGUE: MOVING BEYOND THE ROADBLOCKS 6

V. DAY 2 – OPENING SESSION..........................................................................................................9

VI. SESSION 3: THE FUTURE OF NATO IN THE WESTERN BALKANS...........................................9

VII. SESSION 4: SECURITY SECTOR REFORM IN KOSOVO..........................................................11

VIII. SESSION 5: AN AGENDA FOR REGIONAL GROWTH................................................................12

IX. SESSION 6: THE WESTERN BALKANS AND THE MIGRATION CHALLENGE..........................14

X. DAY 3 – OPENING SESSION.......................................................................................................15

XI. SESSION 7: PREVENTING RADICALISATION AND COUNTERING TERRORISM....................16

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I. INTRODUCTION AND SEMINAR OVERVIEW

1. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly, in cooperation with the Assembly of Kosovo, gathered NATO member state and partner parliamentarians in Pristina from 22-24 October 2016 to discuss key issues affecting Kosovo and the Western Balkans. It was the first Rose-Roth seminar to be held in Kosovo, the historic gathering of lawmakers, high-level interlocutors from key regional and global institutions (from KFOR to the United Nations), local governance structures and regional NGOs.

2. Pristina’s determination to continue with domestic reforms and to maintain its constructive dialogue with Belgrade highlighted the weekend. The spectre of persistent socio-economic, regional and political challenges to further Euro-Atlantic integration reminded assembled participants much work remains to guarantee the rule of law, essential freedoms for citizens, and regional economic integration. Regional security in the face of rising challenges from terrorism and migration also featured prominently in the weekend’s seminar.

3. Over 40 parliamentarians from more than 20 member and partner countries, 30 members of the Assembly of Kosovo, as well as high-level Kosovo government officials participated in the successful seminar.

II. DAY 1 – OPENING SESSION

4. Xhavit Haliti, Vice-President of the Assembly of Kosovo and Head of the Delegation of the Assembly of Kosovo to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, noted a strong desire for deeper cooperation not only in the region but also with the broader Euro-Atlantic community. Mr Haliti underscored the important role of Rose-Roth Seminars for signalling political, economic, and security developments in the region. He stated that the seminar was a chance for Kosovo and the international community to assess the role, progress, and challenges remaining for Kosovo domestically, in the region, and within the context of its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

5. Rose-Roth seminars “send a message to all Balkan countries, members of NATO and the EU that stability in Kosovo is not only a necessity, it is essential for security in the region and beyond”, Mr Haliti stated. He thanked all delegates, organisations, and diplomats present for the role that all played individually, as organisations, and nations to assist Kosovo in recent years. He said Kosovo would work hard to repay the international community through becoming a solid member of the Euro-Atlantic institutions.

6. Ambassador Jean-Hubert Lebet, Embassy of Switzerland in Kosovo, noted the pride Switzerland takes in supporting the region’s transition away from conflict toward democracy, particularly in Kosovo. Ambassador Lebet said Switzerland sees its role as an important one, with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) playing a focused and essential role in the evolution of democratic governance and oversight of the defence sector.

7. NATO Parliamentary Assembly Vice President, Paolo Alli (Italy) noted in his opening remarks that the meeting in Kosovo was the 93rd Rose-Roth Seminar, underscoring the enduring relevance of the post-Cold War parliamentary initiative. Alli said the strong buy-in from member state parliaments from across the NATO alliance was a sign that, while much progress has been made throughout the Western Balkans since the conflicts of the 1990s, much work remained to guarantee a peaceful and stable region.

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8. Kadri Veseli, President of the Assembly of Kosovo, began his remarks by noting that the Rose-Roth seminar in Pristina was a sign of the progress of Kosovo’s aspiration to become a stronger member of the Euro-Atlantic community. Mr Veseli said the Assembly of Kosovo was working to guarantee the rule of law, freedoms for citizens, and economic integration into the region and beyond, and to make all Kosovars feel safe and as though they are equal partners in the enterprise of developing the state of Kosovo. Mr Veseli also said there is a common desire throughout the country “to remove the stigma of the Western Balkans as a troubled region of Europe.” He noted the concerted effort at all levels to fight corruption and organised crime; concluding, “by doing so, we will make our economy more vibrant and open to broader cooperation.”

9. Mr Veseli continued by stating that the government in Pristina “stands side-by-side with the international community in its efforts to fight terrorism.” He further highlighted that Kosovars had a strong history of inter-faith cooperation, wherein “religion is a vehicle in our region for cooperation and mutual respect: We must fight to maintain this culture.”

10. Mr Veseli concluded by stressing that the transformation of the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) into the Kosovo Armed Forces (KAF) would be key to long-term stability in the country and the region. The future KAF would help in the efforts to stabilise the region and fight against the troubles with terrorism and criminal networks.

11. Nataliya Apostolova, Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo/European Union Special Representative in Kosovo, noted that the pathway to European integration is well supported throughout all social spheres in Kosovo.

12. Ms Apostolova acknowledged the difficult period the European Union is currently experiencing, citing the economic and migration crises as well as a perception of enlargement fatigue. However, she stressed that European integration remains an irreplaceable tool to help build peace and stability in the regions on the continent most needing it, as well as a beacon of hope for membership candidates. A Western Balkans free trade zone, she continued, is a worthy goal to encourage fruitful cooperation. She told the audience that the EU has given pre-accession assistance to the Balkans and Turkey equal to 11.7 billion EUR, which serves as a strong signal of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to the strength of rule of law and democracy in these areas. The rule of law and effective democracy, she stressed, are the tools that fight corruption and crime, which will in turn lead to a transparent and stable area.

13. She concluded her remarks by noting the continued efforts of the EU to raise Kosovo’s profile in the international arena, which the institution hopes will make the region an area for FDI and trade. Under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), the EU will continue to provide full financial and political support to Kosovo, she assured. With a final remark to the region’s prospects for entering the Schengen Zone, she stated clearly that work still remained; particularly with regards to the settlement of border questions and an even stronger fight against organised crime.

14. Asked in the discussion if Kosovo was subjected to unfair constraints vis-à-vis its border questions, and about the principal challenges remaining to EU accession she replied that the EU is not inventing more exceptional circumstances to prevent Kosovo’s accession. She noted that the EU has learned many lessons from enlargement efforts in the past; particularly that the accession process is a long one, wherein the Council sets priorities and then makes an action plan. All of this, she stated, takes time to implement, which would mean for Kosovo continued efforts to implant a stable framework for the rule of law, continue a wide-reaching fight against corruption, and the strengthening of institutions.

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15. Mr Veseli intervened briefly saying that only 17 years ago, 70% of all property and 90% of industry was destroyed in the region. It was clear that Kosovo had come a long way, he stated. He continued by stating that 1.7 million of Kosovars are under the age of 25 and they are seeking opportunities, which the EU can certainly help the government in Pristina provide.

16. Answering another question about the independence of the judiciary, Ms Apostolova explained that there will have been a transfer of authorities from EULEX by November to Kosovo institutions, except for a “select number of criminal cases”. At this time, she concluded, the primary responsibility will then be on the shoulders of the judges here in Kosovo to prosecute criminals and war criminals as well.

III. SESSION 1: EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND THE REFORM PROCESS

17. Alexandra Papadopoulou, Head of EULEX Kosovo began her presentation by noting that the EULEX experience, particularly the recent downsizing, reflects both the achievements and the challenges that lay ahead for Kosovo. She stressed that the EU had invested heavily in the rule of law in Kosovo, for the first time exercising full executive powers in a country. Today, she continued, the EU team is focused on consolidating its efforts to combat impunity and corruption in the country.

18. Ms Papadopoulou said the downsizing of EULEX’s presence in the country is a clear sign of the progress made. She noted that EULEX staff would continue assisting authorities to do their jobs, help strengthen independent institutions, and help police forces maintain best practices. She reminded the audience that EULEX was never meant to be a substitute for legal institutions in the country, but rather a primary supporter of their development and strengthening.

19. EULEX’s mandate remained consistent with what it was prior to the recent changes, she explained. Assistance would focus on noted deficiencies; particularly the strategic advising of senior management of state institutions and the Kosovo police. Ms Papadopoulou told the audience it is important to continue pressure on policing at all levels noting the need to build a better witness protection capacity as well as fair investigative processes. She also noted that, encouragingly, the Kosovo Customs Bureau has a positive image, as officials in Pristina have managed to put in place an effective and competent institution. So much so, she continued, that almost 80% of Kosovo’s budget comes from customs.

20. Ms Papadopoulou told the audience in no uncertain terms the biggest challenge for EULEX in Kosovo remains judicial independence, highlighting that a competent and independent judiciary is the sine qua non of the rule of law. She continued by saying support of the Kosovo Judicial Council and working with the management of prisons and detention centres remained essential. The EULEX mission works closely with the EU Special Representative to keep the institutions strong and independent well after the mission leaves, she said.

21. Ms Papadopoulou concluded her intervention by noting the EULEX mission continues to support local institutions and is committed to upholding respect for private property. She noted the agency is also working hard building the investigative capacity of the police and court system. To get there EULEX assigns mentors to provide peer-to-peer investigation and prosecution assistance. Ms Papadopoulou concluded with a very clear message for the delegation: The way forward is clear – local ownership and autonomy, transparency and accountability are the way to a stable, secure and prosperous Kosovo.

22. Jan Braathu, Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo, argued Kosovo’s institutions are still quite young and that institution building is a long process. He said the role of the NATO Parliamentary

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Assembly has been significant in these efforts in Kosovo and that he was proud the OSCE could be here to facilitate the efforts.

23. Mr Braathu noted that the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has 5 regional offices and 30 field presences and that institution building efforts are a fundamental tenet of its efforts since 1999. He said the OSCE has been a vital assisting mechanism for the Assembly of Kosovo since its establishment in 2001. OSCE advisors play a key role in helping develop regulatory frameworks and other key elements of parliamentary governance, such as oversight mechanisms and the institution of laws.

24. He noted the OSCE is now principally focused on strengthening parliamentary groups representing minorities and empowering women and minorities in civil society. The Assembly of Kosovo, he continued, has been delivering on work and output despite its relative youth. He noted that the OSCE along with the Assembly’s bodies have a good partnership with the civil society to draft, debate, and implement legislation for the country.

25. He continued by stating the OSCE was engaged in human rights monitoring and capacity building; it had helped establish many different legal mechanisms to protect against human rights abuses. OSCE officials help with the identification of non-compliance and give constructive criticism which Mr Braathu noted has helped strengthen institutional functioning. Another initiative he mentioned was the establishment of a mentorship programme for young female lawyers.

26. Mr Braathu was happy to report to the audience that the judicial system in Kosovo has progressed significantly and it is based on best European practices. He felt confident the system will continue to progress, because, as he stated plainly, it is producing results. Still, he conceded, challenges do persist citing language compliance in official institutional work as a particular one among others. He also recognised the integration of the north remained a high hurdle.

27. Mr Braathu also noted that the Kosovo Police is stronger than ever, largely due to the OSCE and other international institutional efforts to align the Police Academy with EU and international standards. A particular focus today is the enhancement of intelligence gathering for combating organised crime and corruption. He told the audience the Kosovo policing system is generally “very advanced and it is getting more so all the time.” OSCE efforts are helping to achieve more indictments and convictions. In addition, the Kosovo police themselves now do the bulk of the specialised police officer training, though still with the advice and supervision of the OSCE.

28. The OSCE is also working in parallel with many layers of society to combat extremism, working to spread a counter narrative. Law enforcement intervention has been effective and widespread in this respect as well, with 200 investigations, 104 arrested, 70 indicted, and 34 sentenced to date in a nation-wide counter terrorism effort. Mr Braathu said this resolute response against terrorism and the dangers associated with the return of foreign fighters is welcomed and should be continued.

29. Mr Braathu told the audience the safety of the media and journalists is another focus of the OSCE. The organisation works diligently for their freedom and safety. In general, he continued, the Kosovo media scene has caught up with the region and now has a plurality of voices focused on making the agenda balanced.

30. Mr Braathu said progress was being made in local governance as well. As a result of the work of local and international institutions there have been impressive results, with Kosovars increasingly involved in local politics, interaction with their mayors, etc. All of which is transforming the democratic landscape of the country.

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31. All of this, Mr Braathu said, was a notable achievement given the timeframe. He noted an important lesson for all: institutional investment is done at the local level, requiring cooperation to find solutions that best fit any particular situation. He concluded that international and local efforts to strengthen Kosovo would continue to need strong public support for good governance and that this will be the lasting investment necessary for stability.

32. Ariana Qosaj Mustafa, Programme Director and Senior Researcher, Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED), told the audience Kosovo is only recently coming out of a series of significant internal political divisions that continue to pose challenges. The disagreements caused a longstanding gridlock when it came to formation of a new government. The reason for the gridlock, she noted, is a divergence on the way forward to Euro-Atlantic integration. The new coalition, she told the audience, does not inspire hope they will address the problems of endemic corruption, increase economic and employment opportunities, and help improve the living conditions for the citizens.

33. She continued by stating the Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office that were created by vote in the Assembly of Kosovo in 2015 was a particular challenge. They will be handing out the first indictments for alleged war crimes committed in the run-up to and the immediate aftermath of the war in Kosovo from 1998 to 2000. The reactions to the indictments, she continued, will be a true test of Kosovo’s political maturity.

34. She also said the outstanding issues related to the demarcation of the border with Montenegro and the creation of the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities contribute to Kosovo’s persistent weakness and fragility as a state. Further, she continued, the pressure to normalise relations with Serbia is being done without a real understanding of what either side wants the outcome of the process to be. In the region and internationally, she told the delegation, Kosovo continues to feel isolated due to divisions surrounding accepting its status as a state and the longstanding presence of international institutions doing so much for the country at all levels, causing some to question the reality of the country to be an independent, sovereign state. All of these variables, she said, present significant remaining hurdles to true Euro-Atlantic integration.

35. She proposed three steps forward to help encourage progress in Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration. First, she said, a goal of the Rose-Roth Seminar should be to drive Kosovo and NATO signing a Partnership for Peace Agreement, noting the discussions over the weekend should lead to an understanding of how to address the remaining four NATO member states that do not recognise the status of Kosovo as an independent state. Second, she said the Brussels-led Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue must have a clear end-goal signalled with a distinct timeline on how to get there. She noted the need to work with international partners toward Kosovo’s eventual Euro-Atlantic integration, but also have a clear pathway in the next 18 months to recognition at the UN. Third, she called upon Kosovar institutions to prove their willingness to end the endemic corruption plaguing the state and highlighted in the most recent EU Progress Report. To get there, she stated, the country’s judicial system must begin by sentencing high-level corruption cases and produce a reliable metric for prosecuted cases.

IV. SESSION 2: THE BELGRADE-PRISTINA DIALOGUE: MOVING BEYOND THE ROADBLOCKS

36. The next panel on the implementation of the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue was split between official views and perspectives from civil society representatives.

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37. Edita Tahiri, Minister without portfolio in charge of the dialogue with Belgrade, Kosovo, began her presentation with a brief overview of the lingering questions in the region: Serbian interference in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the name issue for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia1, as well as border delineation for Kosovo and the integration of Serb communities. She noted how beneficial in terms of stability and prosperity it would be to the region as a whole if the European Union would speed up the integration processes of the entire region. She noted this would also help with some of the larger challenges facing the EU as well, such as migration, terrorism, trafficking.

38. She told the audience Kosovo has made measurable progress since the SAA signing. Noting the progress of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, she told the audience: “I believe the Brussels dialogue has delivered significant, even historical results.” She said both sides had produced a basic document outlining various outstanding areas of disagreement between the two sides, which still needs to be signed.

39. She told the audience, officials in Pristina are seeing great strides forward being taken, including the reopening of the Ibar Bridge in Mitrovica. “This bridge has become a synonym of communication between the two communities.” Ms Tahiri said there was ongoing political dialogue regarding the normalisation of neighbourly relations between Serbia and Kosovo and toward the integration of the Serb minority in the north of Kosovo. As evidence of the progress, she noted the integration of police officers into the Kosovar system, increasingly efficient border management, and the integration of former militia members. She also told the audience that a uniform justice system is being introduced into the north. Some issues are still pending, however, and she cited the adoption of a Kosovo phone code for the northern region, which she believed would be resolved soon enough.

40. Despite the challenges of the 2013 elections in the north and the continuation of illegal municipal authorities in the Serb-majority communities, she noted, the Brussels dialogue is helping to change the political mentality of the Serbs in the north and leading to their more inclusive participation. There is an increasing interest in the north to become a part of the Kosovo governance system, she said. Ms Tahiri concluded her remarks by stating: “I know there are many sceptics on both sides. I understand and appreciate their views, but the dialogue has allowed us to lead to enduring progress by tackling the smaller, good neighbour, issues.”

41. Marko Cadez, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, began his remarks by noting that both the people of Serbia and Kosovo desire to live in the EU. He said he felt as though the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue was outmoded and seeking to resolve issues that no longer reflect the modern-day lives or concerns of either population. He said the younger generations of both Kosovo and Serbia needed new skills in order to enable their participation in today’s globalised economy.

42. Mr Cadez said the basic idea of the chamber of commerce started back in 2013 to help promote Serbia’s integration in a globalised economy, i.e. investment forums, business to business (B2B) relationships, and job fairs. He said the chamber also serves as a bottom-up supporter of legal decisions to make Serbia more effective and efficient in the new economy.

43. To get there, Mr Cadez said concerted efforts are needed to build regional support structure for small to medium-size enterprises (SMEs). He told the audience he sees them as natural partners for each other, and they will be effective means of building constructive economic interdependence, which will lead the region away from using violence to settle differences. Mr Cadez said organisations such as the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry are essential variables helping governments invest in the right infrastructure to support the kind of business that can grow in the region. Further, he

1 Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.

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continued, they help build interfaces between governments, businesses and civil society which can lead to long-term beneficial growth.

44. Mr Cadez concluded his remarks by noting: “We are living in a time that is dramatically different than even just five years ago – this is why we are pushing for our governments to finish the mutually beneficial infrastructure projects that will help all of us survive in this economy.”

45. Safet Gërxhaliu, President of Kosovo’s Chamber of Commerce, said the EU was founded to bridge economic cooperation and lead to closer political cooperation. He noted that this idea was a primary driver of the efforts to link the chambers of commerce in the region. This was something he was trying to do not only with his Serbian peers, but those throughout the region as well.

46. Mr Gërxhaliu sounded an optimistic tone when discussing the combined efforts and effects of regional chambers of commerce. He seemed quite confident significant political progress could be made in the region as a result. He said clearly that, “the idea and spirit of dialogue needs to happen at all levels so all sectors of society can influence and feed each other”, stressing the strong link between economic development and social integration. He also cited one of the lessons of EU integration that “while not every country or peoples may necessarily like one another, there is an abundance of mutual interest in cooperation.”

47. He concluded by noting that today, Kosovo is the only country in the region that exports cash. He also said that 90% of all goods are imported into the country. He said he was confident that only through a combined dialogue between the political and entrepreneurial classes could this situation be changed for the better, eventually benefitting all Kosovars.

48. Dusan Radakovic, Head of the Advocacy Centre for Democratic Culture (based in Northern-Mitorvica), said that despite the first Brussels Agreement of April 2013, officials in Pristina still have no real effective view into the Serb community of the north. He said that, while there is a lot of optimism being tossed around at the seminar, there is reason for inserting a degree of caution to it.

49. He explained that there is still no real court system in the northern Serb municipalities. Thus, the existing system is still operating under the jurisdiction of Serbia, with direct consequences for the civilian population. He said the Serb population in northern Kosovo is generally ill-informed about the process of integration being proposed by the Brussels-led dialogue, feeding fears among the population for their economic and civil safety.

50. He told the audience that the negotiation teams from both sides have yet to organise a public debate about where they hope the Brussels process will lead. Civil society organisations could be far more active, he continued, in supplementing this effort to spread knowledge and understanding. He also said they were not given a sufficient role in the dialogue, “they could give good (even better) advice to negotiation teams.” That applied to his organisation whose mandate was precisely to follow and monitor the dialogue in Brussels and report on its implementation as a means of helping improve the day-to-day lives of citizens.

51. As a result of the inadequate status quo, Mr Radakovic said, there can be the impression the Brussels negotiations are a conflict of diametrically opposed perspectives, rather than a dialogue trying to find a solution. He continued by saying that, while Ms Tahiri may say all 33 priority issues are close to being completed this is far from true if the population in the north is not involved or informed about how this is supposed to happen.

52. Mr Radakovic also said that about 40,000 people in the north are still receiving salaries from the Republic of Serbia. He said that the inclusion of the Serb populations in the north would add another

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100,000 to the population for which the Kosovar public sector is responsible, highlighting the additional burden this would represent for the Kosovar health care system and public finances.

V. DAY 2 – OPENING SESSION

53. President Hashim Thaçi opened the second day with a short welcome address. He began by saying “Kosovo is no longer a source of instability, but now exporting peace, dialogue, and cooperation”. Occasions like a Rose-Roth seminar, he said, give the country a chance “not only to demonstrate this, but also to learn about where we still need to go.” The international community, particularly NATO, brought stability to the region and the people recognise this and are grateful.

54. President Thaçi said that, in 1999, due to the war, more than a million Kosovars were forced to flee and become refugees. People voluntarily came back and were happy to rebuild in a peaceful area. There are parallels to the situation Europe is facing today. Syria’s refugees want nothing more than to have peace and stability. They want to go home and rebuild in a peaceful region.

55. He noted the significant progress made since 1999, first among which was the signing of the SAA with the EU. He also said the country is laying the groundwork for a stable future and prosperous economy, working to build peaceful relationships throughout the region. He also stated that Kosovo believes that, throughout the Balkans, NATO is the foundation of peace and stability: “We welcome the entry of new states and hope aspirant countries will also get there soon.”

56. President Thaçi continued by saying Kosovo is ready for rehabilitation and peace with its neighbours, this being the ultimate goal of Kosovo’s commitment to dialogue and cooperation with Brussels. Kosovo and Serbia are no longer a threat of instability in the region as a result of the dialogue, he said. The region benefits from this; the joint actions of Belgrade and Pristina are engendering peaceful relations between other states in the region.

57. He assured participants that Kosovo’s security force is based on NATO standards and will be a force for peace in the region. The transition of the forces into an army is the next step in Kosovo’s journey to NATO and the EU, he argued.

58. He cautioned the EU about being too distracted by the other security threats currently challenging it, thereby neglecting the job it needs to finish with the integration process in the Western Balkans. He concluded by telling the audience the government in Pristina works hard with its Muslim community to stop the departure of young men and women from joining extremist organisations in the Middle East and monitor and control the return of foreign fighters. In addition, he said the state sought to block the spread of extremist ideologies contributing to the terrorism problem at home, in the region and beyond.

VI. SESSION 3: THE FUTURE OF NATO IN THE WESTERN BALKANS

59. The first panel discussion of the day examined NATO’s current and future role in the Western Balkans.

60. Major General Giovanni Fungo, Commander of the NATO Force in Kosovo (KFOR) started by giving a brief overview of KFOR’s mission and mandate and how it has evolved over the years. He

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said a principal task for KFOR in the aftermath of the conflict was to establish a secure environment for refugees to return home. Initially this translated to KFOR overseeing and monitoring potential civil disruptions, border control, policing, etc. throughout the country.

61. KFOR’s mission has evolved significantly since then, focusing today on maintaining a safe and secure environment. This has translated into a major shift from 50,000 troops required for the mission in the immediate aftermath of the war to 32,000 in 2002 to 4,500 troops from 31 countries today. General Fungo affirmed that KFOR remains fully committed to the supervision of the situation in Kosovo. He stated clearly: “We are the most trusted actor by all sides in this area. We foster an environment of dialogue and budding cooperation, encouraging a stable, democratic Kosovo.”

62. KFOR’s status as a credible and impartial actor working for peace and stability in Kosovo and in the region in general instils profound trust by all sides. While many challenges remain, he was confidant KFOR will continue to play a constructive role with support of all of the relevant regional actors, ultimately reaching the goals of a peaceful and prosperous Western Balkans.

63. Brigadier General Dietmar Mosmann, Director of the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (NALT), echoed many of the messages about the value of NATO’s presence in the region. He went further by noting the organisation’s commitment to democracy, human rights, and international law, saying that NATO works hard to be an added value partner in the region. To encourage the safety and security of all the people in Kosovo and the region, NATO continues to support the development of regional security institutions through a wide range of regional capacity building efforts.

64. In Kosovo, NATO will continue to develop the senior KSF leadership. NATO forces maintain a significant hands-on role supervising training and exercises. The goal is simple, he concluded, NATO seeks to increase the professionalism of the forces for efficiency and sustainability, which in turn will have positive resonant effects in the region.

65. Ambassador Greg Delawie, US Ambassador to Kosovo confirmed that “the United States’ commitment to the Balkans and Kosovo is strong. We will work with NATO for the long-haul to ensure lasting stability in the region through strong partnerships and cooperation.” He also said Washington supports the Open Door policy for the region. All three NATO Balkan states – Albania, Croatia and Slovenia – are contributing to NATO operations in Kosovo and thus help export security. Montenegro’s imminent accession is “a clear example of the strength of the Open Door policy and a positive signal to aspirant countries – with hard work of enduring reform, they too can become members of NATO.”

66. Not all countries aspire to join NATO, he told the audience, and that is a sovereign decision. A decision not to join NATO, however, he continued, does not hinder their ability to benefit from cooperation with NATO. There are many programmes of partnership cooperation of which these countries can take advantage, allowing them to scale their involvement with the Alliance according to their desire.

67. Turning to Kosovo, Ambassador Delawie told the audience it is not possible to understate the benefits of the continuing KFOR presence – it is a key element and symbol of lasting peace and security. He told the audience 23 of 28 Allies are KFOR contributors, and while the mission has been successful to date, its work is not done. NATO cannot withdraw until Kosovo has the capability for self-defence, the Ambassador said. He noted that he understood some countries’ concerns about this but warned against a security vacuum after the withdrawal of NATO forces.

68. He concluded by saying achieving the final goal of a Kosovo self-defence capacity will take time to develop but NATO continues to be committed to Kosovo, as was reiterated in the Warsaw Summit Declaration.

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69. Ambassador Istvan Gyarmati, President of the International Center for Democratic Transition, sounded a degree of pessimism, telling the audience Kosovo’s future remained quite uncertain. Kosovo was ‘more or less on the right track and making progress’ but he argued that it was one of the few remaining places in the Western Balkans where the progress of the past years can still be rolled back. In fact, he told the audience, the situation is getting worse today; there were ‘old threats in new uniforms’ and the clear problem of Russian manipulation. 70. Ambassador Gyarmati also worried about regional backtracking citing the example of the political turmoil in Skopje, which he argued was a direct result of a lack of attention by the Euro-Atlantic community. He also argued that Bosnia and Herzegovina was on the wrong track, though he did not believe in the imminent threat of armed conflict.

71. Lastly, he told the audience of his growing concern of terrorism, which was not considered a high enough priority, meaning the problem will likely grow down the road.

VII. SESSION 4: SECURITY SECTOR REFORM IN KOSOVO

72. For the fourth session, panellists focused on current security sector reforms in Kosovo, the need for stronger accountability mechanisms as well as the prospect of the transfer of the KSF into a conventional military force.

73. Haki Demolli, Minister of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), said the KSF has a duty to protect all Kosovars. He continued that the constitution of Kosovo stated clearly the KSF must be professional, reflect the ethnic diversity of all Kosovars, and be lightly armed. His main tasks were to react to crisis situations, support civilian authorities in natural disaster response, search and rescue, destroy explosive ordnances and protect civilians. The KSF was doing all of this within its constitutional mandate.

74. Minister Demolli noted parliamentary oversight is a key element to the strong functioning of the KSF. He said the parliament reviews budget and oversees requests for new purchases, among other mechanisms, to ensure the quality and integrity of the force. In his function as Minister of the KSF, he noted he has a two-year mandate, and is tasked with reporting to the Assembly of Kosovo several times a year. He noted that the Ministry has the ability to modify the structure of the KSF in consultation with the President and Prime Minister as needed.

75. He continued by stressing that the KSF is different from other security institutions in Kosovo because it gets intensive support from NATO, has additional levels of international cooperation and good coordination with civil society and NGOs. The KSF is also supported by external nations at the bilateral level; he noted Norway’s individual efforts to assist the professionalisation of the force as an example.

76. He concluded by stating that, based on the Ahtisaari Plan and security sector review, Kosovo is ready to transform the KSF into the KAF. He noted he understood that some of the Serb communities are still not ready for this, and that the government in Pristina needs to do more to reassure them. He told the audience the KAF’s membership in NATO is the ultimate long-term goal.

77. Ganimete Musliu, Member of the Assembly of Kosovo’s Committee on Internal Affairs, noted she was a member of the parliamentary committee focused on gender and human rights. She told the audience women take pride in wearing a police or army uniform. While men clearly dominate the country’s security institutions, she said, there is a sense of duty to better integrate women. She said

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progress toward this integration is evident today, stressing that there are now legal initiatives to develop gender equality along with many mechanisms to enforce and encourage it.

78. She conceded getting there will not be easy, however, as there are still high cultural barriers to strong female participation in the security forces. This is creating a clear de facto-de jure gap in the country. Today women are participating in both police and army in double-digit percentages, she continued, and there is a slow increase in the number of women in the command structures. She stated that there is a clear indication that gender representation is a net benefit to the institution and Kosovo as a whole. She noted the country’s efforts to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 were ongoing and was confident they would achieve their goals. In addition to strengthening gender equality in the security services, she noted her committee’s work to bolster legal support to women who were/are victims of sexual violence both before and after the war. She said much progress made was due to solid support from the UN, DCAF, and NATO, among others. She concluded by stating she hoped women could even be leading the security institutions in Kosovo at some point in the future.

79. Besfort Rrecaj, Professor of Law at the University of Pristina, and President of the Euro-Atlantic Association of Kosovo, began by discussing the global security perspective for NATO, rounding up the eastern and southern flank threats and the impact of the Alliance’s shifting focus on Kosovo’s future in NATO. He also noted the dynamics of the challenges from state and non-state actors, as well as other complex symmetrical and asymmetrical means, hybrid and/or cyber warfare, as real hurdles for NATO in the 21st century.

80. Despite this, he continued, Kosovo is mentioned in three paragraphs of the Warsaw Declaration. NATO continues to see Kosovo through the prism of UNSCR 1244 and despite progress, the same hurdles to NATO membership continue to exist for Kosovo. He told the audience that he believes UNSCR 1244 to be no longer functional and that NATO needs to find a way to overcome it. The reason, he continued, is due to Russian revisionism, wherein it seeks to be disruptive wherever possible and thwart NATO’s goals. Russia will seek to exploit the Western Balkan region if its security sector reform stagnates.

81. He noted the importance for Kosovo to transform the KSF into the KAF, saying, “this is the essence of stability in Kosovo and in the region.” An essential steering mechanism for the transition, he pursued, is the continued evolution of the democratic control of armed forces in the country which means a very important role for the Assembly of Kosovo.

82. Professor Rrecaj concluded his remarks by stating the maintenance of the Open Door policy is vital to finding a solution for Kosovo and its neighbours. In this respect, he continued, the NATO PA is ahead of NATO and can play an important role.

VIII. SESSION 5: AN AGENDA FOR REGIONAL GROWTH

83. The afternoon began with a session focused on the need for sustainable economic growth in the Western Balkans.

84. Muhamet Mustafa, Chairperson of the Committee for Economic Development, Infrastructure, Trade and Industry at the Assembly of Kosovo told the audience that, while economic growth looks good on paper and Kosovo, in fact, even appears to be ahead in the region with 2.7% growth, these numbers are misleading. He said just a glance at the balance of payments for the government shows otherwise, particularly with regards to Kosovo.

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85. Gazmend Turdiu, Deputy Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), began his presentation by saying the RCC came into existence in 2008 to promote European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Southeast Europe through regional cooperation. Today the RCC’s areas of focus fit into three principal categories: Extending Participation; Stability and Rule of Law; and, Job Creation and European Integration. He told the audience that whenever polls indicated what local populations in the Balkans believed to be the biggest regional challenges, unemployment, the economy, or corruption far outweigh concerns about border delineation or ethnic tensions.

86. Mr Turdiu explained to the audience some of the bigger accomplishments in the region since the creation of the RCC. He said trade and investment integration in Southeast Europe/Western Balkans is steadily increasing, particularly the liberalisation of trade in goods and agricultural products. He noted an agreement recently negotiated to help open markets and remove barriers. He also said negotiations on trade liberalization to help SMEs and other professional services started in 2015 and are moving apace. In addition, a regional investment reform agenda has been launched between the RCC, the World Bank and the EU, he told the audience.

87. In an initiative to promote ‘smart’ growth, Mr Turdiu noted efforts in the region to add value locally and regionally through better education, innovation and increased productivity. Developments in this area include: the formal establishment of the Western Balkans Research and Innovation Centre (WISE) and the Education Reform Initiative for South East Europe (ERI SEE). To promote sustainable growth, he referred to the Connectivity Agenda of the Berlin Process, which was launched in 2014. He noted strong political backing for infrastructure development coupled with initial resource investment. Citing by way of example the agreement on the core transportation network project which seeks to connect the Western Balkans to the existing EU transportation corridors (Mediterranean, Rhine-Danube, etc.). He said a priority had been placed on transport and energy production as this would lay the necessary groundwork for closer regional economic integration. Another inclusive growth initiative focuses on employment and mobility, including structures to advance the agreed regional mobility agenda, as well as employment and social affairs platforms.

88. Looking to the future, Mr Turdiu said the RCC would work to reduce and remove remaining obstacles to increase mobility, enhance connectivity, and improve economic competitiveness in Southeast Europe. This would mean working to assist authorities enact better governance measures, improve the rule of law, as well as the breadth and depth of security cooperation. He also indicated ‘horizontal and supporting activities’ which would parallel their efforts such as stronger relations with the EU, the streamlining of regional cooperation structures and the broadening of links and strengthening of partnerships with other regional stakeholders (including media and civil society). He told the audience they have a motto for the future – skills and mobility - competitiveness and connectivity.

89. Mr Turdiu cited a tangible example of the RCC’s efforts to give the audience better context: the drive to reduce mobile phone roaming charges in the Western Balkans. A recent regional agreement, he said, has led to up to 30% reduction in costs for customers. As a result of this success, he continued, they are now trying to expand the geographical scope of the agreement. The region’s average roaming costs amount to 8 times the cost of the EU average, he explained, which is a real cost addition for SMEs trying to expand operations and trade regionally.

90. Matteo Rivellini, Head of Western Balkans Division at the European Investment Bank (EIB), said that the Bank was created with the 1957 Treaty of Rome. All 28 EU member states are shareholders in the EIB, and it is the largest multilateral lender in the world. He told the audience that the scale and impact of EIB investments is significant, citing 4.1 million jobs created in 2015 and significant growth in the health care, education, water, transportation, and energy sectors. The EIB’s products include lending, blending (combining EIB financing with EU budgets), and advising.

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91. To get the Western Balkans beyond the transition stage, he continued, there needs to be a real focus on institution building, including: protecting property rights, an action plan to fight the endemic informal economy, stronger rule of law and a functioning judicial system, increased efforts to combat corruption, stronger management and decision-making capacities for state and local governments and a better ability to collect taxes.

92. To help boost a market economy in the region, he noted a real need for the liberalisation and privatisation of markets, as well as the restriction of publicly owned enterprises, to name but a couple examples of the work ahead. Facilitating this, he continued, would be the increased efficiency and connectivity in the labour markets. Building highways is helpful, he said, but is only so helpful when there are not too many border controls blocking the way.

93. Mr Ravellini told the audience the EIB has lent about 3 billion Euros to the region over the last five years, of which 52 million to Kosovo. He expects investments in Kosovo to increase soon due to legal and regulatory changes. EIB financing projects are currently focused on connectivity projects, such as the financing of highways in Kosovo, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, etc., as well as water systems and railways.

94. Regarding the region’s migration troubles (flight of populations from the region, often toward the rest of the EU but also the incoming wave of war refugees and economic migrants from much further afield), Mr Ravellini told the audience that the EIB is assisting with short and long-term regional projects with the goal of making the economies in the area more resilient. He said there are multiple public and private sector initiatives, which will lead to the investment of 13.5 billion throughout Europe from 2016-2020. He said the EIB would engage in the Juncker Initiative to invest more in Europe to help with regional growth, absorption capacity, and economic resilience. This will mean a direct flow of 7.5 billion Euros into Europe immediately into planned projects, of which 1.5 billion is planned for the Western Balkans.

IX. SESSION 6: THE WESTERN BALKANS AND THE MIGRATION CHALLENGE

95. This panel addressed the monumental migration challenge facing the Western Balkans, from those fleeing conflicts in Europe’s neighbourhood to the waves of economic migrants leaving the Western Balkans due to a lack of opportunity.

96. Xhavit Haliti told the audience the refugee crisis is affecting all European nations and has become a political polarising factor from East to West, North to South. There is a call for real longer-term investment to deal with the problem, he said, as it will only continue to grow.

97. He told the audience: “We have close experiences with migration challenges here in Kosovo, many of us were forced to leave after WWII and recently during the conflict with Serbia, Kosovars fled to the region and beyond.” Kosovo continues to face the challenge of migration of its citizens, he continued, as there have been mass movements even very recently. In the last year alone, he said, many joined the flow of Syrians, Iraqis, and Afghans as it passed through the Western Balkans.

98. He told the audience there is a national strategy for Kosovar migrants repatriated after an unsuccessful attempt to seek asylum abroad; many have been repatriated with funding from the EU. According to EUROSTAT, 42,000 people have been repatriated to Kosovo between 2012-2016. To assist with the reabsorption of these populations, the government of Kosovo has allocated 14 million Euros. He said many of those trying to leave the country are from minority populations, such as Roma and Askali. Mr Haliti continued by stating that, compared to the other countries in the region,

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Kosovo was less affected by the sudden surge in refugee flows through the Western Balkans, which he said was likely due to the relative poverty of the country. Only 200 asylum cases had been filed in 2016, compared to 21 in 2010. He said migrants leave Kosovo within a matter of days or weeks as they aspire to go further north. He also told the audience the government has no recorded cases of terrorists transiting the country.

99. Susin Park, Deputy Regional Representative for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it is necessary to distinguish between refugees and migrants to have the appropriate context for the current crisis. She said that, according to international law, refugees are fleeing a wellfounded fear of persecution, which includes persons fleeing conflict and generalised violence (even if they are not specific targets). The current international legal regime protects refugees; they cannot be forcibly returned to their country of origin.

100. Migrants, however, are persons who move from one region to another to take advantage of economic opportunities, or family reunification. The assumption, she continued, is that migrants move more voluntarily, while there is a forced movement by refugees. States can be selective about the admission of migrants, while refugees must be processed and given asylum. In Greece, she cited as an example, 88% of the arrivals were from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, which qualifies these populations as refugees.

101. The fact that the Balkan route did not have major humanitarian crises should be considered a kind of success, Ms Park argued. The flow of refugees and migrants into the Western Balkans has slowed dramatically since the closure of the route. However, she warned the audience that this means there is now a shift to smuggling and the associated risks.

102. Ms Park told the audience, there had been 3,500 deaths in the Mediterranean between the beginning of 2016 and the time of the seminar, while refugees and migrants on land routes face violence and exploitation. She said UNHCR has voiced a strong desire for legality in the movements and expects the strong cooperation of all states implicated.

103. She also asked the audience to consider the use of the term crisis, which she believed was not an accurate term. She said while there were large waves of people flowing through the region at the peak, even up to 10,000 a day and one million over the time period the Balkan route was open, there were tens of millions more displaced globally. The 65+ million displaced persons reported globally in 2015 should, therefore, put into perspective the numbers flowing into Europe. Every minute 24 persons were being displaced in the world, most often due to longstanding unresolved conflicts, as well as new conflicts. She told the audience that in light of this, the numbers arriving in Europe are manageable, if there is political will and institutional readiness. She concluded by reminding the audience that refugee asylum is a core value of highly-developed societies.

104. Luigi Achilli, Research Fellow at the European University Institute, began by saying 2015 witnessed a million-people come through the Western Balkans. He said the mechanism currently holding back millions more, the EU-Turkey agreement, may not endure and the flow may return. He noted the problem with people smuggling along the Balkan route, saying there is a smuggling continuum from Greece through to the north into Europe.

105. Mr Achilli argued that the complex, shifting, emergent and resilient criminal smuggling networks are blurring the distinction between smuggler and migrant as well, as some migrants can facilitate the passage of their own kith and kin through the networks for compensation, which in turn expands the revenue stream and reach of the networks themselves. He warned solutions are not easy, noting simply tightening border controls is dangerous, as it exposes migrants to many more dangers. He noted the need for a whole-of-EU approach to help solve the problem in Europe and at its roots.

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X. DAY 3 – OPENING SESSION

106. Isa Mustafa, Prime Minister of Kosovo, opened the third and final day of the seminar with a short address to the assembled audience.

107. Prime Minister Mustafa noted that since Kosovo’s declaration of independence and the steady movement toward autonomy, NATO has remained the constant for peace and stability in the region and globally. He said Kosovo looks forward to becoming a member of NATO as well as continued and even closer cooperation.

108. In Kosovo, he said, the government continues to work for institutional consolidation, stronger rule of law, as well as the means to integrate more closely with the EU. He told the audience that the government had successfully managed to stabilise the budget and had worked closely with the IMF to reduce the country’s debt burden. The Prime Minister acknowledged a highly negative trade balance burdens Kosovo. The country is importing even basic items, he told the audience, but is working hard to change the status quo. In addition, he said, anti-corruption laws are moving forward. The government in Pristina is also working on strengthening public and private property.

109. Mr Mustafa also said while negotiations continue to be difficult, he is confident that association agreements with the Serb majority municipalities will be resolved. He said he was encouraged by the recent successful demarcation of the border with Montenegro and sounded confident both governments would adopt the official borders soon. In general, he continued, the government in Pristina is working to cooperate more closely with the other countries in the Western Balkans, particularly with the hope of improving shared infrastructure, such as communications and travel. The Prime Minister also noted the priority of finalising the accords with Serbia.

110. Regarding extremism and the country’s recent dilemma with small numbers of its population joining the ranks of extremist groups like Daesh2, he told the audience the government had recently passed a law forbidding membership in the group. In general, he noted measured success in the country’s efforts to counter violent extremism.

XI. SESSION 7: PREVENTING RADICALISATION AND COUNTERING TERRORISM

111. The final session of the 93rd Rose-Roth seminar took on the renewed challenges of preventing radicalisation and combating terrorism.

112. Skender Hyseni, Minister of Internal Affairs of Kosovo, began his presentation by telling the audience countering violent extremism is not just a national but rather a transnational problem requiring local, regional and global cooperation. He said only the timely exchange of information would provide adequate situational awareness. Kosovo, he continued, has demonstrated a willingness to cooperate surpassing other Balkan states.

113. Kosovo is a member of the Global Anti-Terrorism Coalition which was initiated by the United States last year. Kosovo police forces have been able to make arrests and many suspected terrorists are either prosecuted or awaiting trial now. Minister Hyseni told the audience that, in his capacity, he has visited almost every municipality in Kosovo with the exception of the four Serb municipalities in the north. Throughout these visits, he continued, he discussed openly countering

2 Arabic acronym of the terrorist organisation “Islamic State in Iraq and Syria”

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violent extremism at the national and local levels and learned about the challenges of radicalisation in various locations throughout the country. He did admit, however, it was still difficult to understand the true motivations for young people to join groups like Daesh. Whatever drives the desire to join the group, he concluded, Kosovo is working to stem such activities and keep its population at home and focused on a good life in Kosovo.

114. Abit Hoxha, Senior Research Associate at the Kosovar Center of Security Studies (KCSS), reminded the audience that extremists have the advantage of time and money while officials are often dealing with short mandates and cannot stay focused on the problem for the time needed to solve it.

115. Mr Hoxha then discussed the drivers of ideological extremism, noting that extremist ideologies are fluid. Extremism has been able to find a fertile breeding ground in the relatively isolated Kosovo, he told the audience. Studies from the KCSS show radicalised individuals in Kosovo and beyond are often relatively well educated. Kosovo currently has about 100 young men who have returned from fighting in Syria and Iraq; they are almost all in prison where they tend to breed further extremism.

116. Mr Hoxha told the audience the media has an important role to play in countering the growth of violent extremism in the region. Unfortunately, he said, there is not enough reporting on this subject in Kosovo. Further complicating the issue, European media often reports about Kosovo incorrectly. He said while violent extremism is often reported as a Kosovo problem, this misses the reality that it is a European problem that all Europeans face and must work together to mitigate.

117. Marija Ristic, Editor at the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, began by telling the audience about the numbers of young men and women leaving the region to join Daesh or other radical groups in Syria and Iraq. The biggest number, around 900, she said, left the region from 2012-2015, to join extremist organisations; peak flow was in 2013. She said the majority of the departing fighters were from Kosovo, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Albania. Three years out from this phenomenon, she continued, there is good and bad news for the region. The good news: almost no one left to join any extremist groups in 2016. A key factor in this, she noted, is the relatively harsh legislation. The bad news: most of the 900 fighters have returned to the region, where they are poorly monitored and/or re-integrated. Many are still awaiting judicial sentences, and, when they do end up in prison, they are often grouped together which causes a prison-radicalisation problem as they are poorly supervised there.

118. Another problem, she continued, is what happens to the returned fighters once they leave prison. While recruitment into groups like Daesh, she said, happened mostly in unofficial mosques before, scattered, poorly integrated returned foreign fighters complicated the recruiting networks. One particular issue for government-led countering violent extremist programmes is the general lack of cross border cooperation. Countries in the region have very limited intelligence sharing and this hinders the ability to monitor the spread of extremism in communities. In addition, she concluded, there is a lot of radicalisation via the Internet today where there was very little even a few years ago. Finding the right means to counter online extremism is difficult because of the sensitive balance between freedom of speech and general human rights.

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