Kosovo’s Integration in EU: between dream and reality

Is Kosovo fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and why has the UN administration been heavily criticized?

The economical and political advantages of the EU, has caused a flurry of requests for membership. Especially from the new Central, Eastern and Southeastern democracies. But, as much as membership is attractive, it is hard to achieve.

The European Council defined the criteria for membership in 1993 in Copenhagen. These are known as the ‘Copenhagen Criteria’. They stipulate that members of the EU can be those associated countries that fulfill the criteria. The criteria include stabile institutions that can guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights, minority rights, functional economy etc.Where is Kosovo towards joining the EU? A quick view of the situation would lead us to the conclusion that Kosovo remains a long way from fulfilling the Copenhagen Criteria.

Its integration in the EU is prohibited by existential problems like, undefined status, economical recession, poverty and high unemployment. With such problems we can only dream of the day that Kosovo becomes part of the EU. In fact Kosovo is the most un-favored place in Southeast Europe. The UN mission in Kosova has made many mistakes in governing, which have complicated even more the process of political integration.The most criticism towards UNMIK (UN mission in Kosovo) comes from their undemocratic ways of governing, they hold absolute authority until they organise an “exit strategy” from Kosova.

Andreas Reidlmayer, a Professor from Harvard University, has named the international administration as neo-colonialist.Also the EU which is as an sub-administrator (UNMIK’s VI pillar is lead by the EU, which has to do with economy) has been criticized that it was shamed during the war. Even though, this war has happened in its “yard”, the EU has financed only 4% of the attacks on the former Yugoslavia; most of them have been financed by the USA.

Another problem Kosovo has is that there is not a sustainable peace. The instability of the peace is a result of the fact that UNMIK has never dealt with secret reasons that caused the war in 1999. UNMIK has badly managed a fragile peace in Kosovo. Kosovo’s society characterizes a lack of assets, money, power and perspective. In this sense UNMIK and Kosovo’s institutions, have failed totally.

How will Kosovo be integrated in the EU when its society for six years in “freedom” has suffered different types of violence like pressure and poorness?If Kosovo becomes independent from the negotiations, which will soon start, then its integration in the EU would be affectively quickened. The independence would also effect the transformation of Kosovo’s society. In Kosovo all the Albanians expect independence. The EU would hopefully bring social justice, a modern society with democratic rules and effective defence of the minorities. If Kosovo will not be independent, it won’t ever be in the EU.

Fehmi Hajra