Corruption in Kosovo is impeding EU integration

Gazeta Express

28/01/2020 14:00

Politicization of the public administration, organized crime and corruption, as well as inefficient judicial system are key factors impeding Kosovo’s EU integration path.

This was the conclusion the paper “Evolving or revolving: Institutional reforms and democratic legitimacy in Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro,” presented by Democracy for Development (D4D), European Movement Albania and CeMI with support from European Fund for the Balkans.

Valeza Zogiani from D4D presenting the report said that Kosovo is considered as potential candidate country to join the EU and since declaration of independence in 2008 the EU integration was one of the main priorities of Kosovo’s foreign policy. But she said that 12 years after the independence Kosovo achieved no tangible results in its EU integration path.  

Director of department on coordination of policies on the Stabilization-Association Agreement (SAA) within Kosovo’s Ministry on EU Integration, Artan Collaku, said the administration has managed to fulfill the SAA criteria within months, adding however that launched reforms are not sustainable. The data on Montenegro were presented by Nina Kecojevic, researcher of public policies in CEMI, who said political elites in Montenegro put personal and party interests before public interests. /GazetaExpress/