How EU Stabilization and Association Agreement Will Benefit Kosovo

Despite all its advantages and benefits, the EU SAA should not be considered as a magic stick that can resolve “by night” all accumulated political, economic, social, unemployment, undevelopment, shelter, poverty, emigration problems and cooperation with neighboring countries.

For one, EU SAA cannot resolve in the first place the case of Serbia which until now is not recognizing Kosovo as an independent state.

In one word the European Union Stabilization and Association Agreement reached is favorable for Kosovo, but it must be a mandatory obligation for those politicians who lead Kosovo. Its practical realization depends only on strategy, quality concrete political, rule of law, democratic and economic reforms as well as contribution and commitment of the relevant institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, not from the European Union (EU).

Therefore, there’s no dilemma that signed Stabilization and Association Agreement between Kosovo and European Union in Strasbourg on October 27, 2015. In fact, it is a big political and democratic historical event on mutual cooperation and concrete support for Kosovo in realization of its goal toward integration into the European Union “family.” but under stipulation that Kosovo be governed in accordance with the EU Stabilization and Association Agreement parameters.

Hereupon, the EU Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) will benefit Kosovo’s different realms of the new state of Kosovo such as economy, agriculture, industry, rule of law, energy system, education, commerce, employment, protecting of the environment,production, sales, quality, export and exchange of local products in EU markets.

Therefore, the signing of this Agreement by Federica Mogherini (High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security) and Isa Mustafa (prime minister) of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo on 27 October 2015 in Strasbourg does not ensure Kosovo’s integration into the EU. To support this assertion, we have concrete examples of some of the Balkan states, such as: Albania, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina who for several years have been signed the Stabilization and Associations Agreement(SAA) with European Union (EU) but they still are far away from from their integration with EU.

It must be underlined the fact that, although all these Balkans countries have already status as EU partners according to Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), they are not yet members with full rights of the EU because due to the fact that their economic development, unemployment, poverty, permanent migration exodus, standard of living, well being, security, order, justice, human rights still are in the lowest level compared with other European countries. Thus, all these negative indicators are the main obstacles to meet the conditions and standards for joining the EU.

After all, we should stress that the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with all its positive advantages and preferences for Kosovo and the other Balkan countries (Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina) is not a warranty or the last word to be integrated into the European Union, but only a benefit, good opportunity and a serious mandatory obligation to fulfill provided conditions and standards to become full members of the EU. While Kosovo have unresolved territorial disputes and strained relationships with Serbia, the integration of Kosovo and Albania in the EU is far from meeting the requirements and other standards, provided by the Stabilization and Association Agreement of the EU.

Finally, we consider that, before Stabilization and Association Agreement was signed by Federica Mogherini and Isa Mustafa, the European Union (EU), it is mandatory for five of its member States particularly Romania, Slovakia, Greece, Spain and Cyprus, to recognize the Republic of Kosovo. For one reason, Serbia is using political and diplomatic pressure on international community to restore its colonial rule on independent Kosovo. It’s necessary that EU should make strong pressure and conditions to Belgrade official top authorities to recognize Kosovo, as a main condition if Serbia wants to be integrated in EU. Otherwise it will not work.

Serbia must not be spoiled by EU, but ordered emphatically to stop interfering in internal issue with Kosovo because its politics and diplomacy are so wrong and unacceptable. This is not only against Kosovo, but the entire Balkan region.

Mehdi Hyseni is an Albanian Ph.D. in International Political Relations, residing in Boston.