Officially referred to as the Republic of Kosovo, it is a "limited recognition" State, located in the center of the Balkan Peninsula. Its population is about 1.8 million, with Pristina as capital. According with the Human Development Index, it scores 0.787 positioning at no. 85, among the lowest in the Region [1].
Kosovo unilaterally proclaimed its independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008 after years of strained relations between Serbs and Albanians. Serbia immediately refused to recognize this independence, which was accepted on the contrary by numerous countries including Italy [2]. Today, Kosovo is recognized by 101 out of 193 UN member states. Reconciliation between Albanian majority, most of which supports independence, and the Serbian minority results non accomplished.
Following independence, Kosovo has made a successful transition from a growth model based on foreign aid flows, with an increase of per-capita income of almost 50% and a significant reduction in the poverty rate. In order to grow more it is necessary to increase job opportunities, improve infrastructure, prioritize investment in human capital, and create a more favorable environment for private sector. Further actions are necessary to promote environmental sustainability, including the accomplishment of the European Union's environmental acquis.
Accession process – basic timeline [3]
June 2013 – Following the ratification of the Brussels Agreement (April 2013), the European Council open negotiations on a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Kosovo
April 2016 – SAA between Kosovo and European Union officially starts
February 2023 – EU presents a proposal to stabilize relationships between Kosovo and Serbia, mandatory for both countries accession process
With the aim of promoting cultural, economic, political, social and educational development of the country, the Italian Development Cooperation is present in Kosovo since 1999, initially focusing on humanitarian AID. Over the years, Italian projects progressively included additional key sectors such as health, education, sustainable development and touristic and cultural resources promotion.
AICS initiatives in Kosovo focus on agriculture and rural development, environment and sustainable tourism, culture and human rights (in particular pre-school education, youth rights and support to the national health system).
In agriculture and rural development, AICS Tirana aims to support participatory planning of the territory and to strengthen local institutions through bio-districts establishment, assuring continuity in the processes of legislative alignment with the EU on food security.
In environment and sustainable tourism, Italian projects contribute to Kosovo's natural and cultural heritage conservation, as well as to the sustainable development of Via Dinarica, a hiking route crossing Balkan region.
[1] 2022 UNDP Report: 2022 Human Development Report | United Nations Development Programme (undp.org)
[2] Five EU Member States (Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain) and 2 Region countries (Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina)didn’t recognize Kosovo’s independence yet.