New Kosova Report

Kosovo already is part of the EU

Wednesday, 12 March 2008

Arlind V. Bytyqi

After Kosovo’s declaration of independence in mid-February, apart from debates on its recognition by some countries, there have also been discussions on its integration into the European Union structures. Just days ago, Swedish FM Carl Bildt issued a statement saying that Kosovo’s EU future is secure despite its improbable UN membership in the near future. This proclamation is of tremendous significance for the Kosovar people; it shows them that there is a future, it is waiting and it lies with the European Union.

It seems, though, that we are forgetting a very interesting aspect of the current political developments in Kosovo, which, of course [and rightly so] involve Western participation. The mere fact that EULEX’s (EU Mission in Kosovo) presence in the new republic has been welcomed means that Kosovo already is part of the EU. This, naturally, differs from the conventional part-taking process that countries follow to become EU members. And this is precisely what makes the Kosovo case unique and special.

With a policing and judiciary force of around 2000, EULEX will take over the current UN Mission in Kosovo, with the aim of supervising Kosovo’s with-the-West orchestrated declaration of independence. Key factors are minority rights and institutional development. But EULEX’s mission does not end here. Perhaps not a very much talked-about dimension of this mission is the preparation of Kosovo to become a member of the EU from the standpoint of already being there. The normal rule is for countries to build and develop their own capacities and meet certain requirements before they are eligible to join the bloc. For Kosovo, this applies not. Kosovo will undergo these tasks with the assistance of the precisely those with whom it wants to join. And this tells one that Kosovo déjà finds itself inside the EU.

European rule of law, policing type, advice, and partnership is what the new EU mission to Kosovo offers the Kosovar people. These are significant prerequisites that every country aiming at joining the Union should meet. And Kosovo is starting. But there is a variation. As opposed to undergoing these changes by itself, which if it were the case would prove a difficult task for Kosovo, the latter does it with the Union’s help. This makes the entire process easier and gives Kosovo a nuance of indirect membership with the bloc. (Name a country of the Western Balkans which is [or say, will be] in a more solid and direct contact with EU than Kosovo!) Despite objections by neighboring countries, the European Union is determined to offer Kosovo an accelerated gateway to its family of free and sovereign nations. Whether this is publicly stated or not, is another matter and is not very relevant.

Considering the very probably opportunity that Kosovo will be taken off the list of countries which need visas to travel to the EU, makes this theory of Kosovo’s premature joining of the bloc even more plausible. That would allow citizens of the new republic a greater opportunity to travel to and get acquainted with EU’s ways of life and democratic processes [not that they haven’t been doing so in the past decade(s)].

Indications tell us that Kosovo is likely to be offered parallel consideration with other Balkan countries with respect to integration in Western structures. The advantage, however, is that Kosovo will have a first hand insight of what needs to be implemented and undertaken, which guarantees a success story.

Having the right people as tutors, which eventually will become your ‘people of the union’, ensures for inevitable integration. Kosovo has the former and it certainly already has the latter.

By Arlind V. Bytyqi
arlindvb [at] newkosovareport.com

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email This

Comments (10) add comment

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Tringa said:

...
To the previous comment,

Albanian Mafia? seems like the Albanian "mafia" are doing a better job in runnung Kosova than the so called democratic state of Serbia ever did.

Are the "Albanian Mafia" (as you so calmly refer to), killing serbians right now? As a minority, are they being ethnic cleanthsed by the Albanians?

We all know the answer to that. The new Kosovar government is based on rights and values for ALL people, unlike the serbian government which its main goal was to interrgrate other cultures and nations into a Serbian society, by using violence to the most brutal degree (ethnic cleansing, massacres.. etc).

As for Kosova being a false state, its acceptance makes up 70% of the Worlds strongest economical countries, and the list just keeps on growing.

Ethnic cleansing hundred thousands of Albanians is a PERFECTLY good reason to break UN Resolution 1244, as we all know a law is based on rights for all people, as Resolution 1244 did not give the right to the Serbian government to ethnic cleans Albanians. Therfore making Resolution 1244 non-existant in the Kosova case.

March 31, 2008
Votes: +2

Predrag said:

...
Mr Bytyqi obviously lives in a fantasy world.
There is one fundamental FACT one needs to first consider with regards to Kosovo and the EU!

The independence of Kosovo is a CLEAR breach of UN Resolution 1244!
In other words, Kosovo is an ILLEAGAL state, by anyone’s definition!
What kind of message does the UN wish to send out to the rest of the world?
That it is ok to break international law?
If this false state is ever accepted as an independent nation by the UN, let alone as a member of the EU, it would be a clear sign that international laws will not be adhered to!
And the EU is nothing more than and a criminal organization and justice and democracy are truly dead!

This offcourse would be the ideal outcome for the illegal government of Kosovo.
Especially considering it is being governed by former terrorists and well known figures in the Albanian mafia.

March 23, 2008
Votes: -3

Tringa said:

...
da Kloot, You can guess all you want!!

This is not a matter of guessing it is a matter of fact, and as it stands even countries which have said they will NEVER recognize Kosova as indpendent have guess what? - changed their minds. And those minds will keep on changing.

Most of the worlds strongest states recgonize Kosova, and Russia in some instances have also said they will sooner or later accept it. But whether Russia will use their VETO on Kosova's indpendence is questionable. Russia and Serbia as well, whould look at the problems facing their own country and stop opposing the freedom of others. Russia has problems with alcoholism, orphans and a government which is still based on Communist ideas - in the 21st century.

The facct of the matter is, as of now Kosova to me seems to be more civilized and respective of its minors than any other country which is opposing it. But they soon won't.

Kosova is recognized by 29 countries in less than a month - the odds are in its favor.

March 16, 2008
Votes: +2

rosebud said:

...
Tomas, I guess you forget that Switzerland was not a UN member until 2002. I agree with your concern for the lack of reality and encourage you to help us help the serbs. They are still living in the 1389 reality. Kosovo is lost for them and the sooner they accept that fact the sooner they will be accepted in the EU. However if the want to join Russia they are free to do so but not one country will be taken as a hostage by them, or Russia for that matter, because of their lack to grasp reality

March 14, 2008
Votes: +1

Garfield said:

...
TOMAS:

as you well know, Kosovo can join the EU without being a member of the United Nations (after all, the UN is nothing but a messy beuarocratic institution). Switzerland is not a member of the UN, yet, it lies in the heart of Europe and it's something that cannot get any European-ier.

And, true, there's much more to world reality than independence. We have seen that in the past, to a great cost, and yes, we've managed to survive. Don't think things will be harder than they've been for Kosovo in the past with Serbia as its ruler.

March 14, 2008
Votes: +0

Luani said:

...
DA KLOOT, the same could be said about serbia, more specifically this line from you comment ("I would guess that the chance for Kosovo to join the EU in the next 50 years smaller than 1%. ") . Just replace Kosovo with serbia in that line. If you are going to reply with "wrong". I'll reply by saying "NO", why? Because 18 EU countries have recognized Kosovo, now, any of them would clearly be against and will not allow Serbia to join EU until the Kosovo issue is resolved. Now, you can lie to yourself by saying that Serbia doesn’t need EU, however everyone knows how badly it does.

March 14, 2008
Votes: +0

Tomas, Slovakia said:

...
Well, I do not want to take away your optimism, but do not forget that your independence is for majority of countries still disputable. It is hard to believe that you will ever break Russian veto over your UN membership and you are thinking about the EU now...
I do believe that Kosovars are still full of euphoria, but please remember - independence is not the only cure for all the problems you have. Wake up to the reality, the world is much more complicated as it was during your dreams of independence.

March 13, 2008
Votes: +0

rosebud said:

...
All those who never believed the Greece would bomb Serbia were surprised by the opposite.
The EU member states (Greece, Spain, Cyprus and Romania) will recognize Kosova as independent
latest in two years from know.
The first one to do so will be Cyprus and the last one Romania. But that is hardly the point here. Kosovars have a lot
of work ahead and wether Romania - which honestly is far away from being a fully western democratic country - recognizes Kosova is really not an issue.

March 13, 2008
Votes: +0

alex said:

...
There is only one other state in the Balkans to 'benefit' from having the right 'tutors'. That's poor old Bosnia - last in the line currently for EU accession despite an EU mission since the mid 1990s. Yes, Kosova needs EU help and advice but you cannot build a strong stable state without governing it yourself, learning by your mistakes and building a political class with responsibility. And, finally, the EU is meant to be the bastion of democracy - how can Kosova prepare to join this club, if it has never once in its whole existence enjoyed the right to democracy?? It will be years before Kosova joins the EU. Years of dependence on an EU mission which is unelected and unaccountable.

March 13, 2008
Votes: +0

Da kloot said:

...
Remains only the small problem that if not all 27 EU members recognize Kosovo there not even be talks about an SAA because all members have to agree, and how can members agree on something if they even don;t recognize Kosovo.

Kosovo will not be able to join the EU (if ever) as some mebers have stated they will never recognize and by the time that has been overcome there will be no more acceptance under the citizens of the current EU members for even more members in the EU.

I would guess that the chance for Kosovo to join the EU in the next 50 years smaller than 1%.