Workshop, European Café Debate and presentation of initial findings in

Kosovo

Deliverable 5.7

(Version 1; 20.11.2017)

Prepared by: KCSS

Project acronym: EUNPACK

Project full title: Good intentions, mixed results – A conflict sensitive unpacking of the EU comprehensive approach to conflict and crisis mechanisms

Grant agreement no.: 693337

Type of action: Research and Innovation Action

Project start date: 01 April 2016

Project duration: 36 months

Call topic: H2020-INT-05-2015

Project web‐site: www.eunpack.eu

Document: Workshop, European Café Debate and presentation of initial findings in Kosovo

Deliverable number: 5.7

Deliverable title: Workshop, European Café Debate and presentation of initial findings in Kosovo

Due date of deliverable: 30.11.2017

Actual submission date: 29.11.2017

Editors: Line Hammeren (NUPI)

Authors: KCSS

Reviewers: Morten Bøås (NUPI)

Participating beneficiaries: COMENIUS, KCSS, BCSP, NUPI, CEPS, UMan

Work Package no.: 5

Work Package title: Crisis Response in the Enlargement Area

Work Package leader: COMENIUS

Work Package participants: COMENIUS, KCSS, BCSP, NUPI, CEPS, UMan

Estimated person‐months for deliverable: 0,15

Dissemination level: Public

Nature: Report

Version: 1

Draft/Final: Final

No of pages (including cover): 8

Keywords: EU crisis response, Impact

Invitation to Open Dialogue

Sharing the Survey Findings and Recommendations of

“Public Perception about the European Union (EU) in Kosovo”

Date: Monday, 20th November 2017

Time: 13:00 - 14:30

Venue: Kosovar Centre for Security Studies Office premises

Distinguished Invitee,

Kosovar Center for Security Studies (KCSS) is pleased to host an event for presenting the findings and

recommendations of Policy Brief:

“Public Perceptions of the EU’s Role in Crisis Management in South Mitrovica” by Mr. Josef

Batora, Mr. Shpend Kursani and Ms. Kari Osland.

After the introductory speech by KCSS Director, Dr Florian Qehaja, Mr. Batora will introduce the project

and present the survey findings and moderate the focused discussion on the review of findings.

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to this event at 13:00 PM on Monday, 20th November 2017 at

KCSS Office premises

EUNPACK research project has been designed and developed to critically examine whether EU external

crisis response is sensitive to the political and social context on the ground. These studies are being

conducted through a consortium at seven countries including Kosovo. KCSS as a member of the consortium

is conducting the project’s studies in Kosovo and uses the EU Role in Crisis Management in South Mitrovica

as a case study.

Please find the agenda in the attachment for details.

We are looking forward to your active participation in this event.

Kindly R.S.V.P. to this invitation by contacting: Arife Muji (0037744645408; arife.muji@qkss.org) no later

than Friday, 17 November 2017.

AGENDA

“Public Perception about the European Union (EU) in Kosovo”

Date: 20th of November 2017

Venue: Kosovar Centre for Security Studies Office premises

Details of Agenda

13:00 – 13:15 Arrival and registration of participants

13:15 – 14:00 Presentation of the results

Mr. Florian Qehaja Executive Director of KCSS

Mr. Jozef Batora, Comenius University in Bratislava

14:00 – 14:30 Open discussion and recommendation

November 2017

Venue: KCSS Office premises, Str.Sylejman Vokshi Block B,Entry 2, No.1, 10000, Prishtina, Kosovo

List of Invitees

Sharing the Findings and Recommendations of

“Public perceptions of the EU’s Role in Crisis Management in South Mitrovica”

Monday, 20th November 2017

N

O

Name Title Department/

Organization

Contacts

1 Fatmire

Terdevci

Press and Public Information

Center

EU office 049787-931

2 Mark Baskin Professor R.I.T 044-974-435

3 Plator Avdiu

Researcher KCSS 044-283-527

4 Arife Muji Researcher KCSS

044-645-408

5 Ian McDonald

Team Leader B&S Europe EU-Project-

OCC-CVE

043-992-777

6 Florian Qehaja

Executive Director KCSS

044-182-865

7 Donika Marku Research Assistant KCSS

044-725653

8 Vese Kelmendi Researcher KCSS /

Open Dialogue

Sharing the Survey Findings and Recommendations of

“Public perceptions of the EU’s Role in Crisis Management in South Mitrovica”

Date: Monday, 20st November 2017

Time: 13:00 - 14:30

Kosovar Center for Security (KCSS) conducted an Open Dialogue to share survey findings on Public

Perceptions of the EU’s Role in Crisis Management in South Mitrovica. The participants of the event were

representatives of EU Office in Prishtina, EU Officials, professors and researchers. Furthermore, the debate

was attended via Skype by two researchers of policy brief Dr. Jozef Batora, Comenius University, and Dr.

Kari M. Osland, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).

The Open Dialogue started with an introductory speech by KCSS Director, Dr. Florian Qehaja, followed by

Batora who introduced the project, methodology and presented key research findings and recommendations.

After Batora’s speech, Arife Muji, lead KCSS field researcher in South Mitrovica, presented the field research

conducted during July and explained the attitudes and opinions of respondents during the interviews. Batora

opened the floor for discussion with a number of key questions for participants. The participants were asked

to share their views on the situation and what might explain the research findings.

During an hour and a half of open discussion, most of the participants supported the survey findings and

recommendations while providing their interpretation of the situation. The participants highlighted some key

challenges and obstacles and explained why they believe that citizens in South Mitrovica have a more positive

attitude towards EU crisis management than citizens in North Mitrovica. One participant stated that in North

Mitrovica, Kosovo-Serbs identify with Serbia and have little trust in the government of Kosovo and EU’s

intentions towards Kosovo. Other participants noted that even though citizens of South Mitrovica have shown

a more positive attitude towards EU than citizens of North Mitrovica, they still perceive EULEX work

regarding rule of law as insufficient and lacking decisiveness in fighting crime and corruption. Also, during

the discussion it was mentioned that the Kosovo-Serb community is always concerned whether they are

loyal to local leaders but also to the leaders and government in Belgrade. Another reason mentioned

for this difference in attitude is the Kosovo-Serb pro-Russian sentiment and Kosovo-Albanian pro-

European sentiment. Pro- Russian sentiment should not be disregarded, since there was an agreement

to help the north-population in Mitrovica, while Kosovo-Albanians are eager to reach EU support

and integration.

The Open Dialogue event was concluded by Qehaja and Batora by concluding the discussed points of how do

the findings resonate with the current situation and EU’s role in Crisis Management in South Mitrovica and

what recommendations derive from such situation.