3 December 2019 – Kosovo Centre for Security Studies (KCSS), member of the KSPAG, organized a roundtable with citizens and representatives of NGOs from the Gjilan/Gnjilane region. The roundtable discussed the differing perspectives and positive results from the implementation of the technical dialogue. The panel included Mr. Arber Ismajli, Deputy Mayor of Gjilan/Gnjilane Municipality, Ms. Jovana Radosavljevic, Executive Director of New Social Initiative and Mr. Allen Meta of D4D.

Mr. Ismajli outlined the outcomes of the technical dialogue and draw a comparison between the municipalities in North of Kosovo with other Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo. He suggested that the technical dialogue has impacted differently the lives of those living in the North and those living in other municipalities in Kosovo. He provided an example of the municipalities of Partes and Ranillug where citizens have a different perspective on the concerning to the technical dialogue.

Ms. Radosavljevic on the other side, provided the perspective from the north Kosovo highlighting the benefits of the technical dialogue. She suggested that the agreement on the telecommunication has provided great benefits to citizens in the North, especially those from the Serbian community. The agreement on the freedom of movement has been of great importance for Kosovo citizens travelling to Serbia and for the Serbian citizens travelling to Kosovo, claimed Ms. Radosavljevic. On her personal view, it was unimaginable to travel to Gjilan/Gnjilane from the North of Kosovo by car, but now this has been made possible by the agreement.

Mr. Meta from the Democracy for Development, also a KSPAG member organisation, presented an overview of the project objective and its activities. He listed a number of positive benefits from a number of areas covered by the technical dialogue, including the freedom of movement, telecommunication, and diploma recognition. He recognised that there are many challenges to the implementation of the agreements, however looking from the perspective of the impact on the citizens lives, both parties have widely benefited.

Participants of the roundtable, especially NGO representatives, emphasized the lack of the transparency of the dialogue process. They stated the importance of the civil society informing the process on the most pressing issues for the citizens. They welcomed the organisation of the activity as it gives them an opportunity to get more information of the benefits of the technical dialogue, as well as expressed their concerns on the implementation of the agreements.

This event was organized with the support of the Norwegian Embassy in Kosovo and European Union. The content of this activity is the sole responsibility of the Kosovo-Serbia Policy and Advocacy Group and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Norwegian Embassy in Kosovo and the European Union.