Political Crisis in Kosovo: A low-point of the Transatlantic Partnership in Europe?

This online panel discussion will explore the multiple crises Kosovo faces at the moment. In the midst of the Covid-19 epidemic and after only 51 days in office, the Kurti-led coalition government of Vetëvendosje and LDK lost a confidence vote in Kosovo’s Assembly. 

In the days and weeks leading up to the vote, Prime Minister Albin Kurti was in disagreement with President Hashim Thaçi on a state of emergency, as well as EU member states and the United States disagreed on how to re-establish the normalization dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade.

The situation is very dynamic, just a few days ago, Miroslav Lajčák was appointed as the EU’s special representative for the dialogue and Western Balkans regional issues. Apart from learning about the situation on the ground, we want to explore ways forward for Kosovo’s European integration. 

With

• Ambassador Boris Ruge, Vice Chairman, Munich Security Conference Foundation
• Fisnik Korenica, Group for Legal and Political Studies, Pristina, Kosovo
• Viola von Cramon, Member of European Parliament, EFA-Greens 
• moderated by Simon Ilse, Head of Office, Heinrich Böll Stiftung Belgrade

Guiding questions:

1. Does the fall of the Kurti government essentially mean, hopes for a fight against corruption and for rule of law are shattered again? Is Kosovo’s state irretrievably captured?
2. The Trump administration’s foreign policy in Europe: Friend or foe? 
3. Which way forward now in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and Kosovo’s European integration? 

The online discussion will be held in English. It will take place under Chatham House Rule.

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We are really looking forward to welcoming you to this virtual event, which is, in this form, also a new experience for Heinrich Böll Stiftung.