Annual Forum of JCASR discusses developments in all dimensions of interaction: political, economic, social and cultural
The Annual Forum of the Joint Centre for Albania Serbia Relations (JCASR) took part this week, on 3 and 4th of March,examining as in its tradition the latest developments and implications in the political, economic and cultural dimensionsof the bilateral nexus. The activity of this center established five years ago by the Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) and the European Movement Serbia (EMINS) has become the highest forum from civil society for debating the relations and contextualizing them with relevant regional and European integration dynamics as well.
The forum was attended by representatives of state institutions on both sides, experts from think tanks, writers, reporters and young activists of civil society.
In the opening remarks, AIIS Executive Director, Alba Cela, expressed the commitment to proceed with the effort of deepening relations through the work of the joint center and took stock of the achievements of this endeavor so far including events with students, reporters, experts and others.
EMINS President, Jelica Minic, remarked that since 2001 Albania and Serbia relation’s curve of relations has had many oscillations but the general trend is upwards. Minic presented a detailed geopolitical scene in which she placed the developmentof bilateral relation’s highlighting common challenges but also opportunities. “We have to coordinate together and have a jointcommunication when it comes to strategic things such as our involvement in the debate about future of Europe,” Minic remarked. She also commented on the latest mini-Schengeninitiative which she called an effort to realize the implementation of previous agreements and in line with the concept of regional economic Area (REA) agreed in the TriesteSummit.
AIIS Chairman, Albert Rakipi, warned that the change of focus on bilateral relations from concrete achievements into more ‘strategic regional’ one comes at a cost and that any effort that excludes countries in the region is bound to fail.
Former Chair of the National Council for EU Integration, Genc Pollo focused on the topic of the joint future within the EU,placing the utmost importance on the fulfillment of Copenhagen criteria which remain unnegotiable despite changes in enlargement methodology. Pollo also mentioned the common problems with the quality of democracy that both countries have.
The Forum is part of the 2019-2020 activities supported by a project funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. H.E Ambassador of the Netherlands in Albania Guusje Korthals Altes in her greetings welcomed the exchange of ideas and information that occurs in such activities where misconceptions are challenged and often solved. She emphasized that for the Netherlands the entire region is very important and therefore the support of the country towards such projects is considered as key. “Civil society has proven itself that it can lead the way in finding agreements, commonalities, shared things “- the ambassador said congratulating both institutions for their engagement.
Member of Parliament and former Minister of Culture, Mirela Kumbaro, also addressed the participants first challenging the derogatory meaning that often accompanies, in her belief, the very term “Western Balkans.” Kumbaro said that her trusted motto was”Let culture do its job.” She listed some of the literaryworks of Albania and Serbia that were translated into respective languages with the assistance of the program Traduchi as well as other forms of exchanges such as literary residences. Kumbaro said that we have lost a lot of time in the past and have a longway to recover however culture is a shared heritage and wealth which is unbound by conflict and borders. “Culture therefore implies exchange and is enriched by it.”– Kumbaro said.
Culture: the happy story
The panel on cultural and youth cooperation was opened byArmanda Hysa, anthropologist and researcher, and also one ofthe authors of the recently published collection of stories “When Serbs and Albanians loved each other.” This book published in Serbia and Kosovo and distributed by both newspapers, Danas and Koha Ditore, has received very positive feedback and bringsreal life stories of love, friendship and companionship throughout the years. As regards cultural cooperation between the two countries, Hysa, emphasized two main points. Firstly, the perceptions on this particular area are conditioned by a long-term history and politics between Serbia and Albania. Secondly, strengthening these relations will contribute positively in the common goal towards EU integration.
Nonetheless, a few cooperation policies have taken place in the framework of the EU over the years. In this line, Hysa pointed out that focusing on the EU integration is necessary for both countries, but not enough to develop bottom-up cooperation; cultural cooperation has a broader meaning to it.
An increase of activities in the framework of cultural cooperation has been evident since 2017, starting with the signing of the first cultural cooperation agreement between the Serbian and Albanian Ministers of Culture to foster exchange of culture and policies based on EU and UNESCO standards. Moreover, a Protocol has already been signed between the National Theatres of Albania and Serbia, through which troops from both countries performed the Opera of Carmen in 2018. Serbian singers, theatre troops and composers have also participated in many international festivals that took place in Albania. According to Hysa, Poeteka is one of the main stakeholder of cultural exchange in the area of literature, as a number of Serbian writers are welcomed in the residence in Albania every year since 2013.
Furthermore, Hysa drew attention to the role of Civil Society Organizations in the cultural dialogue between the countries, emphasizing the past and current projects of the Western Balkans Fund. However, Hysa stressed that the role of CSOs is still weak in the development of cultural dialogue between the countries, as “cultural cooperation is often not valued by donors.” Moreover, there have been negative reactions on two the matters of the heritage of the Gusle instrument as well as the broadcasting of certain songs in TV programs for minorities.
In this regard, Hysa recommended that priority should be given to cultural heritage by organizing relevant seminars and workshops, but ensembles should also cooperate to avoid performances related to historical battles and conflicts. Hysa added that cooperation should be enhanced in the area areas of museology, preventive archeology and literature. Additionally, a stronger cultural cooperation needs to be established between universities.
Đorđo Cvijović, project researcher from EMINS stressed that the youth component as part of regional cooperation in the WB was not emphasized until the mid-2010s. The majority of EU projects focused on youth cooperation between the WB and member states rather than within the region.
Albania first adopted a National Youth Strategy in 2006, followed by Serbia in 2008. Prior to the changes made in youth policies at the EU level, there was a lack of focus on the mobility of young people within the WB. With the launch of the Berlin Process in 2014, some steps were taken in the right direction towards the institutionalization of regional mechanisms for youth cooperation. The establishment of RYCO was particularly important in this line, due to the lack of mobility within the region and the fact that the younger population is more prone to radicalism.
Cvijović pointed out several steps in the development of youth cooperation between Serbia and Albania; The Brdo Process was important as it enabled the launch of the Positive Agenda for Youth in April 2015, which emphasized the examination of mechanisms and programs by the EU. However, real progress was achieved through the Berlin Process which made way for the establishment of RYCO and WBF. RYCO in particular, is deemed as one of the most successful outputs of the Berlin Process, having launched three Open Calls for project proposals. Both Serbia and Albania contribute the most to the RYCO budget as well as benefit the most from the grants.
Discussions about the aspects of education and mobility were initiated last year during the Ministerial Meeting, with the focus on the recognition of academic qualifications between the two countries. As for Bilateral Agreements, there is still room for improvement, although a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Cooperation was signed between the MoFA of Albania and Serbia, which also served as starting point of RYCO in 2014. However, little was done, as most activities were supported by international organizations by OSCE in both countries. One notable output is the initiative of Humans of Albania and Serbia. Cvijović gave several recommendations to improve youth cooperation between the countries, emphasizing the idea of innovation as a new area of cooperation, in addition to increasing visibility, focusing on recognition of academic qualifications, enhancing engagement from state institutions and young representatives in policy-making.
According to Albanian writer Diana Culi, cultural cooperation is not an easy task, as culture in itself is about historical behaviors, dialogue, a vision for the future and a tool to enforce democracy and freedom. She took a look into the past observing how despite the fact that the communist regime in Albania was strongly against Yugoslavia many people were still secretly watching their channels since they showed Western singers and TV shows. Additionally many Albanians secretly read prohibited books which were already translated in Kosovo from Serbian authors.
Culi mentioned the AIIS survey where perceptions about the relations in general were neutral but there is desire to see cultural cooperation. The survey indicated that 81 percent have not read Serbian authors. Therefore Culi argued that there is more need for work to be done towards translation in literature. A better situation is present in the area of cinematography she said as in her capacity as member of the national cinema center she had witnessed quite strong cooperation between Albanians, Macedonians, Serbs and others.
University of Tirana Communication professor Eva Londo argued that culture and media are rather important in cultural cooperation, serving as its two main pillars. However the media’s role in Albania has generally been restrictive in the sense that regional news is reported only when Albanian factors are involved. Moreover, only high-profile issues are reported: Serbia was mentioned in the Albanian media only due to Church protests a while back.
Additionally, Kosovo’s independence was only reported in the Albanian context and its issues.
The Internet has also become another important media platform, as many negative comments were posted in Albanian web portals about the border issue.
“Selective information creates confusion in communication between citizens, states and states, -citizens,” Londo said. Media has become another diplomatic channel and therefore it affects communication and can cause tension, thus spreading fear and “paralyzing healthy debate.”
Writer and former diplomat Ylljet Alicka highlighted that cultural dialogue is a process with many challenges. In his opinion the controversial violent football match was a testimony of gaps and issues between the countries. At the individual level there is general understanding, but this differs on the institutional level, he argued.
Economy: Trade and energy relations at a pivotal crossroads
The panel was opened by the presentation of a policy brief by AIIS Senior researcher Ledion Krisafi. With a considerable improvement of relations in the political sphere, increased state visits and meetings of high officials of both countries, the economic ties between Serbia and Albania have further strengthened since 2006, when both countries became member states of CEFTA.
“It is usually said that politics follows economics, but in the case of Albania-Serbia relations, the contrary has been true: economy has followed politics,” Krisafi said. Comparing the state of affairs in 2013 to 2018, there was approximately 80% increase in trade volume. Despite of this, there have been some oscillations in the trade between the two countries in 2015 and 2016, when imports from Serbia suffered a slight decrease. On the other hand, Albania’s exports to Serbia have steadily increased during the last six years. However, considering the geographical vicinity, trade volume continues to be very low. Krisafi mentions the historical pattern, as one of the three main factors that are potentially hampering the consolidation of trade relations between Serbia and Albania. Serbia’s trade strategy has traditionally inclined towards the development of relations with former Yugoslav countries and Central Europe. Meanwhile, Albania’s trade has been mostly orientated towards Italy and Greece.
Although not lacking recently, regional initiatives would be one way of dissolving the historical pattern and assuming greater ownership of regional cooperation processes. During his presentation of the policy brief, the AIIS Researcher invited the audience to reflect on the practical functionality of these initiatives. For instance, the Mini-Schengen Agreement between Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia which aims to improve the flow of products and capital between countries, significantly overlaps with CEFTA. Regional cooperation initiatives like CEFTA2006, RCC and the mini-Schengen should be implemented and utilized in full, as has not been the case in the past.
Secondly, with no rail connection between Albania and Serbia and problematic road connections, weak infrastructural linkages between the two countries also contribute to the low level of trade relations. However, it is expected that in 2020 could begin the construction of the Nis-Merdare motorway, which was planned to begin since 2017, in the framework of the Berlin Process. The motorway would be connected with R7 motorway in Kosovo from Pristina to Prizren, and then to Durrës in the Albanian coast. Its construction would significantly reduce the distance between the two countries, as a recent World Bank analysis estimates the transport time between Belgrade and Durrës to be over 13 hours by road.
According to Krisafi, the Motorway would also give a boost to tourism: figures of Albanian tourists in Serbia are reportedly too low to be registered by national authorities. Meanwhile, it is estimated that 3 to 5 thousand Serbs come to Albania for tourism each year.
Aleksandar Kovačevic, on his policy brief on Energy and Transport Connections between Serbia and Albania also reiterated the lack of infrastructure as a major obstacle for the development of energy connections. According to the Logistics Performance Index (LPI), the cumulative LPI of Serbia is better than the LPI of Albania, despite the latter being a costal country and investing more than Serbia in its infrastructure, in proportion to its GDP. Nevertheless, compared to other EU countries, both Albania and Serbia demonstrate logistical inadequacy for the strengthening of their economic ties.
Ultimately, the differing structure of the economies of Serbia and Albania are also a key factor in the process of strengthening economic ties, according to Krisafi. While Serbia’s economy is more oriented towards industry, Albania’s economy is more oriented towards mineral and oil extraction, textiles, tourism, agriculture.
Furthermore, Kovačevic highlighted the lack of adequate development plans to attract FDIs by improving first the logistical framework of the ports of Durres and Belgrade. Railway services between the two ports are almost non-existent or unserviceable.
In addition, energy systems in both countries are in transition. Structure and carbon intensity of their respective energy sectors also shapes trading patterns between Serbia and Albania. Both countries have significant productivity gap between potential and actual output per worker with given capital endowment. It seems that enhanced trade between these two systems could facilitate the transition process and provide for better production portfolio optimization thereafter.
Albania and Serbia in the regional labour market
Despite a decline in the working-age population in the Western Balkan region during the last couple of years, the employment rates increased in all Western Balkan countries, but are still below the EU-28 average level (69% in 2018). Jelena Žarković, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, Serbia and director of the Foundation for the Advancement in Economics said there are also large differences across the region, ranging from 29 percent employment rate in Kosovo to close to 60 percent in Albania and Serbia, according to data from 2018.
Žarković announced with regards to gender equality progress: female employment rates in the region are the highest in Albania (52.1 percent) and in Serbia with 50%. In addition, since 2012, youth unemployment rates dropped significantly throughout the region, but especially in Serbia (from 48 to 30%). A survey conducted on December 2019 by the Albanian National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), indicates that the youth employment rate, among 15-29 year olds, has markedly increased compared to previous years, with 68.5% of young men and 54.7% of young women being employed. However, compared to Austria and Hungary, these figures are three times higher.
However the data indicated above must be interpreted in the light of increased migration rates from the region. A shrinking working-age population consequently leads to a seemingly increased employment rate. In addition, high incidence of informality continues to plague the societies in both countries, with young men and older women being the most vulnerable workforce.
Žarković sees great potential for cooperation on a regional level in strengthening skills and labour markets for an inclusive and equitable growth in the Western Balkans. “Regional and local employment offices need to include accurate information about labour migration opportunities in Western Europe and other countries in a systemic way,” says the director of the Foundation for the Advancement in Economics, Belgrade. Some of the recommendations for returnees could be useful for the promotion of regional migration, such as: nostrification of the diplomas, information about job opportunities, simplification of the procedures for obtaining documents, work permits, adequate guidance on access to rights. Combined, these measures would help Albania and Serbia tackle one of their biggest common challenges: the brain drain phenomena.
Strategic cooperation: tough decisions
The panel started by EMINS Vice Presdient Vladimir Medjak who focused on the EU framework as the context for strategiccooperation and priorities. Medjak observed that it has become a regular occurrence to speak of rule of law. “Most of the problems in the WB are from the lack of rule of law and this is a reason for emigration. Last year ‘’state capture’’ was the first time mentioned in a EU official document. Not all countries in WB have seized the opportunities. Even though the chance is there, it is not taken. All other reforms are done in vain without the rule of law.”-Medjak said.
According to him the process is slowing down even for Serbia and Montenegro. Chapters 23, 24 require political will. Without political will in the Balkans, few things can be done. There has been backsliding in the WB. “The EU was created by enlightened elites, not by the people, but what happens when you don’t have enlightened elites?” Medjak asked. In his assessment the elites are satisfied with the current situation and in addition the EU started to have its own problems and therefore status-quo in the Balkans was the easiest choice. Medjak pointed out that the EU is the only actor in the WB who cares about the rule of law. All the other actors don’t care for it. They care for investments, agreements, etc, but not rule of law and democracy. In Eastern Europe, the EU has been seen as an agent of change. In the WB it has stopped to do this role. It needs to begin again with this role in order to gain points with the citizens.
“Also if EU talks about state capture in WB it should be clearer and open about it. It should shift from the position of neutrality. Civil society is important. It should create more network in the region. CSO are the only one in the region who are raising their voice. Member states want more facts about the situation in the region, they don’t believe the progress reports. In this case, CSO should step up.”-Medjak concluded
University of New York in Tirana professor and vice Dean Ilir Kalemaj: addressed the national security strategies of both countries and compared the differences. “Albania and Serbia have different national security strategies. Serbia in 2009 said that Kosovo’s independence was her main threat. In 2018 it states military neutrality as the main goal. Albania-Serbia relations have been steady, but there is room for improvement. They are unlikely to reach their full potential without full normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo “ Kalemaj said.
Lutjona Lula from ESN Albania focused on some gaps that exist even in practical terms. “At the website of the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the regional cooperation there is not Serbia. At the website of the Serbian Ministry of Defense, “Greater Albania” is mentioned as a threat. The national rhetoric in both countries is different from the rhetoric used in international and regional meetings. Cooperation is not possible without political cooperation. Both countries need to define clear priorities in their regional foreign policy,” Lula said.
Independent security expert Ergys Muzhaqi said that there are a few agreements between the two countries on security, but little is implemented. “The majority of the crimes that affect both countries are the same: trafficking, illegal firearms, migrants. We don’t have a joint operational unit for these crimes. It is important to implement the agreements that exists. Being in the same regional organizations doesn’t solve the problems. The example of Turkey and Greece being both NATO member countries but having strong disagreements should serve as a ELSSON,” Muzhaqi concluded.
In the concluding remarks, Minic said that sometimes it is easier to reach each other through regional initiatives than through bilateral mechanisms therefore regional context should not be downplayed. AIS and EMINS will continue efforts to keep the JCASR dynamic in both diversity of activities and outreach towards the public.
