German foundation dubs Kosovo “unfinished state”

Kosovo today, despite its declaration of independence, is an "unfinished state,” says Germany's Friedrich Ebert Foundation report. Kosovo has only limited sovereignty and is de facto divided into a Serb north and an Albanian dominated south, while neither UNMIK nor EULEX have so far been able to do anything "to prevent the partition of the country", the analysis, signed by Vedran Dzinic and Helmut Kramer, claims. German foundation dubs Kosovo “unfinished state” The paper, entitled, "Kosovo After Independence – Is the EU's EULEX mission delivering on its promises", continues to say that every important macroeconomic indicator points to negative development in Kosovo, a situation only made worse by the global economic crisis. They also point to low economic growth, a rising trade deficit and high poverty and unemployment rates. “Eighteen months of independence have done nothing to ameliorate this catastrophic situation," says the analysis. “EULEX, in its role as 'guardian of democracy and the rule of law' has only modest achievements to show for its first six months. Closer scrutiny of the objectives, legal mandate and activities of the new EU mission gives rise to the rather sobering realization that, basically, the previous, failed policy of UNMIK is still being pursued,” the document reads. The Friedrich Ebert Foundation analysis also recommends that the EU set more conditions to Serbia, and to make changes in the EULEX mission.

German foundation dubs Kosovo “unfinished state”

The paper, entitled, "Kosovo After Independence – Is the EU's EULEX mission delivering on its promises", continues to say that every important macroeconomic indicator points to negative development in Kosovo, a situation only made worse by the global economic crisis.

They also point to low economic growth, a rising trade deficit and high poverty and unemployment rates.

“Eighteen months of independence have done nothing to ameliorate this catastrophic situation," says the analysis.

“EULEX, in its role as 'guardian of democracy and the rule of law' has only modest achievements to show for its first six months. Closer scrutiny of the objectives, legal mandate and activities of the new EU mission gives rise to the rather sobering realization that, basically, the previous, failed policy of UNMIK is still being pursued,” the document reads.

The Friedrich Ebert Foundation analysis also recommends that the EU set more conditions to Serbia, and to make changes in the EULEX mission.