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Daring to dream

This joint “non-paper” from the presidents of the Serbia and Kosovo Chambers of Commerce arrived in my inbox earlier this week. My compliments to them for the constructive tone and interesting ideas. Economic progress is not a substitute for a political settlement, but it might make one easier to achieve:

NON PAPER

• We, as the Presidents of the Serbian and Kosovo Chambers of Commerce, are recollecting the commitments of all the parties to the goals expressed in the Final Declaration of the Conference on the Western Balkans held in Berlin, 2014;
• We regret the disunity of the European Union that leads to the refusal to open membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania despite the clear endorsement and promise made to those two countries by the European Council and the Commission. Moreover, the Eurochambers, the biggest  association of businesses in Europe representing more than 21 million businesses, strongly supported the European Union enlargement on the Western Balkans as it will benefit both sides economically and will foster stability in the region;
• As the main advocates of the free trade and regional economic integration, we are calling for the adoption of a “New Deal for the Region“ that should lead to a creation of the Western Balkans Economic Area, based on well-established principles of other similar models, including the European Economic Area, built on four fundamental freedoms of the European Union – the free movement of people, goods, services and capital among its members, enabling  economic growth, attracting foreign investments and enhancing the global competitiveness of the region. Thus, we are appealing to the European Union to lift the visa regime with Kosovo, enabling its citizens to join their neighbours in enjoying the unrestricted freedom of movement;
• We are aware that the process of normalizing relations between Serbia and Kosovo is one of the key prerequisites for providing a prosperous and stable future to all citizens in the region, and will have a positive effect for overall economic, social and political development of the Western Balkans;
• Finding a long-lasting, sustainable and comprehensive agreement that would provide the future stability of Serbian and Kosovar societies, and laying the ground for unleashing their development potential must be priority for the Kosovo and Serbian Governments, European Union and all other interested parties willing to contribute to the stabilization and development of Serbia, Kosovo and the Western Balkans as a whole;
• To guarantee the success of the agreement, all parties need to be committed and to secure its implementation through a carefully-designed action plan of its implementation, with an overall investment and development package;
• Financial and overall support of the process of normalization, development and cooperation of Kosovo and Serbia should be a priority for international financial institutions, bilateral donors, the European Union, its member states, the United States and for the Serbian and Kosovo Governments;

• Our two Chambers are committed to contribute, in every possible way, to finding a comprehensive and long-lasting agreement between Kosovo and Serbia by proposing priorities in the form of a document on economic cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia, which will take into consideration all the obligations of the two sides, but will also propose areas of  cooperation – in energy, infrastructure, education, agro industry, services and other areas – that will be the pillars and drivers of the future development;
• We would like to reiterate our commitment to maintain excellent relations between our Chambers, with the business communities and individuals both in Serbia and in Kosovo, despite the current strained political relations between the two sides. Bearing this in mind, we are committed to further strengthening and enhancing our collaboration and dialogue in order to create a favourable environment for economic cooperation, enabling, inter alia:
  • Free movement of people, goods, services and capital, 
  • Recognition and harmonization of all pending documents,
  • Facilitation, if necessary, of talks that would lead to re-establishing and advancing road, railway, air and postal traffic connections and infrastructure,
  • Creation of positive climate and conditions conducive to joint investments in Serbia and Kosovo,
  • Contribution to resolving all other pending issues that could hamper economic development.
  • Further improving sectorial cooperation and understanding between representatives of both business communities, as well as performing matchmaking activities.
• As the representatives of the business communities, we are calling for long-term oriented approach on putting economic and development interests ahead and working to achieve long-lasting and comprehensive agreement that would unleash and harness the creative, economic, natural, and scientific potential of Serbia, Kosovo and the region as a whole;
• We deeply believe that having a lasting solution will make our economies stable and more attractive for foreign investments, especially for those coming from Germany and other EU countries, providing them with a bigger market, skillful workforce able to compete with the latest technological and IT challenges and strategic geographic position;
• Finally, we are committed to provide support to any businesses, institutions and individuals who share our dream of making the Western Balkans developed, prosperous and fully integrated into the European Union.

Berlin, October 21, 2019

Marko Čadež, President

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia

Berat Rukiqi, President

Kosovo Chamber of Commerce