Event Recap

New Atlanticist

Jun 15, 2021

Kosovo President Osmani: Today’s challenges require ‘an entirely different governing mindset’

By Katherine Walla

As Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani faces rule of law challenges, high unemployment rates, and a slow vaccine rollout, she’s putting domestic reforms at the top of her priorities—even ahead of the country’s European Union-facilitated dialogue with Serbia.

Crisis Management Inclusive Growth

The Atlantic Council’s Europe Center hosted a high-level conversation with President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, on June 9, 2021.

More than a decade after its declaration of independence, the Republic of Kosovo continues to face a set of challenges, both at home and on its path toward integration in the Euro-Atlantic community and its core institutions of the European Union and NATO. While Kosovars broadly agree on where they want to see their country end up, there remain significant barriers to achieving these goals. Daunting challenges like high youth unemployment, a sluggish economy, corruption, and polarized politics dominate at home, while relations with Serbia loom large over almost all foreign policy concerns.

President Osmani joined the Council for a candid conversation about Kosovo’s priorities and her agenda for achieving them. What role can the Biden Administration play alongside its EU allies in helping firmly anchor Kosovo in the Euro-Atlantic community? What are Kosovo’s expectations for the upcoming Berlin Process Summit? What is the outlook for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue? And what opportunities does Kosovo see to promote post-pandemic recovery through regional economic cooperation?

This discussion is part of the Europe Center’s #BalkansForward Initiative, a coordinated effort to foster a democratic, secure, and prosperous Western Balkans firmly integrated into the Euro-Atlantic community.

The Europe Center presented this event as part of the Atlantic Council’s #ACFrontPage event series, our premier ideas platform spotlighting global leaders and championing constructive solutions to global challenges. From publishing  timely commentary and analysis across the continent  to providing a  transatlantic platform for European leaders  driving the crisis response, the Europe Center is combining foreign policy, economic, and business expertise to help re-imagine the post COVID-19 world. 

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On Twitter? Follow the conversation and submit questions @ACEurope and @AtlanticCouncil using #ACFrontPage