Delegates with H.E. Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of Kosovo

 

The Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA), Nepal, in partnership with the Prishtina Institute for Political Studies (PIPS), Kosovo, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo, with the support of the Kosovo Foundation for Open Society (KFOS), successfully convened the event titled “Prishtina Dialogue: Where the Balkans Meet South Asia” in Prishtina on November 25, 2024. This significant initiative sought to enhance cooperation between Kosovo and South Asian nations, establishing a robust platform for dialogue and collaborative engagement.

 

Since its declaration of independence in 2008, Kosovo has emerged as a significant actor within the Western Balkans, actively pursuing European integration while adeptly navigating intricate geopolitical dynamics. The region's economic growth, resilience in post-conflict recovery, and commitment to forging strategic partnerships render Kosovo a compelling case study for global discourse. The objective of this forum was to establish a platform for examining Kosovo’s evolving role, fostering connections between the Balkans and South Asia, and engaging both state and non-state actors in substantive discussions regarding Kosovo's trajectory and its influence within the Western Balkans and beyond. 

 

The Prishtina Dialogue was initiated by Mr Sunil KC, the Founder of AIDIA, in collaboration with Ambassador Guner Ureya, the Director of the Department for Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo during his tenure as the Ambassador of Kosovo to Dhaka. Together, they envisioned the event as a flagship initiative for Kosovo, aimed at fostering greater engagement with South Asia and beyond. Additionally, this event marks a significant milestone for AIDIA, as it coincides with the organization’s 10th anniversary.

 

The event transpired over several days, commencing on November 22 with a series of high-level meetings and engagements. South Asian Delegates had the opportunity to engage with notable figures, including the Prime Minister of Kosovo, H.E. Albin Kurti; H.E. Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora; H.E. Glauk Konjufca, Speaker of the Parliament; and Mr. Fikrim Damka, Minister of Regional Development. Furthermore, delegates visited significant places of historical and economic importance throughout Kosovo, thereby acquiring a deeper understanding of the nation’s culture and historical context. These interactions culminated in the principal event, which took place on November 25.

 

During the meeting, The Prime Minister of Kosovo articulated his strong commitment to enhancing communication and fostering mutual cooperation with the South Asian delegation. He highlighted the achievements of the current administration, noting that it is the first government to successfully complete a full four-year term since the nation attained independence in 2008. The Prime Minister emphasized the significance of global recognition of Kosovo's developmental process. 

 

The Prime Minister emphasized the significance of international acknowledgement of Kosovo's advancements, highlighting that Kosovo has been assimilated into ten organizations, Including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, and has obtained observer status in several others, such as the Francophonie.

 

H.E. Glauk Konjufca, Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, underscored the importance of the meeting by highlighting the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of South Asia. He articulated that the current international order is facing numerous challenges, thereby necessitating the establishment of a new chapter of cooperation between Asia and Europe, particularly with Kosovo. The Speaker characterized Kosovo as a highly functional state with a robust democratic foundation, consistently endeavoring to forge new connections, establish partnerships, and enhance its presence on the global stage. He further noted that Kosovo possesses a more profound understanding of South Asia than South Asia has of Kosovo, thereby emphasizing the significance of such engagements for mutual collaboration and understanding.

 

During the event, H.E. Ms. Donika Gërvalla Schwarz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, delivered a keynote address that underscored the importance of cultivating relations between Kosovo and South Asia. She highlighted the principles of mutual respect, shared aspirations for peace and development, and opportunities for collaboration. Ms. Gërvalla Schwarz articulated Kosovo's commitment to strengthening ties with South Asian nations, particularly expressing aspirations for recognition from India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Nepal, in order to enhance both regional and global stability.

 

She emphasized Kosovo's preparedness to increase cooperation in various sectors, including education, culture, sports, and trade while promoting mutual understanding through civil society and cultural exchanges. Furthermore, she appealed for acknowledgement of Kosovo's unique historical narrative and its contributions to democracy, stability, and global peace. The Deputy Prime Minister presented the Prishtina Dialogue as a vital platform for establishing enduring connections and partnerships.

 

Mr. Sunil KC, the Founder of AIDIA, articulated the organization’s decade-long progression as a think tank and emphasized the imperative to pursue international expansion. He elucidated that the concept for a flagship event in Kosovo arose from the necessity to bridge the divides among business sectors, diplomatic entities, government institutions, civil society, and media organizations. The event is designed to facilitate dialogue across economic, cultural, historical, and various other dimensions. Mr. KC conveyed optimism regarding South Asia’s engagement with Kosovo, noting that certain South Asian nations have already recognized Kosovo. He expressed hopes for increased recognition and enhanced diplomatic relationships moving forward.

 

Ms. Leonora Kryeziu, Executive Director of PIPS, rendered the welcome remarks during the event, underscoring the significance of identifying common ground, learning from collective experiences, and promoting an interconnected and collaborative future. She expressed appreciation for the participants’ time, expertise, and insights, with the hope that the dialogue would yield a lasting impact that extends beyond the event and facilitates the establishment of enduring partnerships.

 

In his address, Ambassador Guner Ureya, Director of the Department for Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo, elaborated on the historical context of the Balkans and Kosovo's path to independence. He highlighted the region's enduring connections with South Asian nations, noting that while only four countries officially recognize Kosovo, others do not negate its existence through ongoing trade relations. Ambassador Ureya emphasized the significant people-to-people ties between Kosovo and Nepal, expressing a desire for collaborative efforts across various sectors. He also underscored the importance of such dialogues in fostering opportunities to share and comprehend one another's narratives.

 

The South Asian delegation, comprising representatives from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, along with panelists from Kosovo and the Balkans, included notable stakeholders, policymakers, leaders, think tank representatives, and members of the media. The discussions focused on enhancing Kosovo’s partnerships with South Asian nations, emphasizing the importance of people-to-people interactions and business-to-business (B2B) collaboration in sectors such as trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

 

Panelists examined Kosovo’s accomplishments in state-building, emphasizing the essential contributions of civil society and the media in promoting accountability and nurturing democratic practices. Furthermore, discussions addressed Kosovo’s economic environment and the potential for economic collaboration between Kosovo and the South Asian region. The dialogues underscored the shared values and aspirations of both regions, thereby setting the groundwork for deeper collaborative efforts.

 

All panellists unanimously concurred that this event had facilitated new opportunities for enhancing relations between the two regions. The forum was praised as a sustainable platform for promoting cooperation and bridging divides across borders.

 

Participants underscored the importance of initiatives such as the Prishtina Dialogue in deepening connections between the previously unacquainted regions. They expressed their eagerness for similar future events aimed at further advancing collaboration and mutual understanding.

 

The speakers and panelists of the Prishtina Dialogue included...

 

Ms. Leonora KRYEZIU (PIPS) – Executive Director at Prishtina Institute for Political Studies (PIPS)

Mr. Sunil KC (AIDIA) – President of the Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) and Founder of the Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs

H.E. Ms. Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo

Mr. Blerim SHALA – Former deputy and journalist-publicist

Mr. Gëzim VISOKA – Associated Professor at Dublin City University (DCU)

Mr. Güner UREYA – Director of the Department for Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora

Dr. Manjari SINGH Assistant Professor at Amity University for International Studies

Mr. Jauhar SALEEM President of the Institute for Regional Studies (MoFA Pakistan, Islamabad)

Mr. Basu DEV KHANAL – Section Officer in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Nepal

Ms. Jeta LOSHAJ – Project Manager at Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Kosovo and Researcher at Kosovo Centre for Security Studies (KCSS)

Ms. Lura LIMANI – Executive Director at Kosovo Foundation for Open                         Society (KFOS)

Ramadan ILAZIHead of Research at Kosovar Center for Security Studies (KCSS)

Mr. Dr. Nihar NAYAK – Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (India)

Mr. MD Rezaul KARIM – Executive Editor of Daily Sun (Bangladesh)

Mr. Xhemajl REXHAPresident of the board of the Association of Journalism in Kosovo

Mr. Getuar MJEKU – Deputy Minister of Economy, Kosovo

Mr. Ganesh SHAH – Former Minister for Environment, Science and Technology (Nepal)

Mr. Visar DOBROSHI – Managing partner, RECURA

Ms. Sulochana RAMIAH MOHAN – Deputy Editor, Ceylon Today

Ms. Sytrime DERVISHOLLI – Business sector leader

 

The Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA), is an independent, non-partisan foreign policy think-tank, based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Positioned in the geo-strategic Himalayan region, AIDIA is dedicated to advancing transformative ideas in foreign policy and international relations.

 

The Pristina Institute for Political Studies (PIPS) is an initiative dedicated to fostering leadership and innovation in Kosovo's socio-political landscape. PIPS equips politicians and leaders with fresh perspectives and modern approaches to governance.

 

 

Ms. Leonora Kryeziu, Executive Director of PIPS delivering Welcome Remarks 

 

 

Mr. Sunil KC, Founder of AIDIA delivering Opening Remarks

 

 

H.E. Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of

Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo delivering Keynote Speech

 

 

Panel 1: Democratic Governance: Perspectives and Experience from Kosovo

and South Asia

 

 

Panel 2: The Role and Impact of State and Non-State Actors

The Role of Civil Society and Media in Strengthening Democracy

through Internal and External Processes in Kosovo

 

 

Panel 3: Kosovo’s Economic Potential: Scope for Inter-Regional and Bilateral Cooperation

Kosovo's Economic Development and its key economic sectors: technology, energy, and tourism