Kosovo's prospects to join the WTO: A short evaluation of the decision-making routes

February 2022

Since 2018, Kosovo has not applied for membership in any major international organization. Although expanding its presence in international organizations has been one of the main goals of Kosovo's foreign policy in the post-independence period, membership in the Venice Commission in 2014 remains the last major multilateral accession for Kosovo.

The Government Program 2021-2025 includes several commitments for multilateral accession. One of the most important commitments is to apply for membership in the World Trade Organization. The WTO is one of the most important intergovernmental organizations dealing with the rules of free trade between nations and states.

This policy note discusses Kosovo's prospects of joining this organization, in light of the functions and importance that this multilateral body plays for the global economy today. The note refers only to the membership process and the membership alternatives available to Kosovo institutions.

The study also argues that submitting an application to the WTO without having a detailed plan prepared in advance with partners can present serious disadvantages for Kosovo's position. It is recommended that Kosovo institutions approach this situation carefully in order to avoid possible false diplomatic steps.

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Programs	Foreign Politics European Integration
Publication Year	2022

Documents to download

Perspektivat e Kosovës për t'iu bashkangjitur Organizatës Botërore Tregtare (OBT): Një vlerësim i shkurtër i rrugëve të vendimmarrjes(.pdf, 4.75 MB) - 77 download(s)
Kosovo's prospects to join the WTO: A short evaluation of the decision-making routes(.pdf, 4.74 MB) - 58 download(s)

OPEN CALL for Two experts on the project 'Pathway towards an efficient use of local natural resources'

The invitation under this tender is dedicated to two local experts in Kosovo and Albania to develop the methodology for fulfilling the duties of reporting energy data to national
authorities.

The local government units in Kosovo and Albania (municipalities) are required by national law,
in both countries to report data to the national institutions, mainly the Energy Efficiency Agency, and the National Statistics Agency. In this context, a methodology for reporting data will be carried out.

It will be used to ease the job of reporting and increase collaboration with national institutions.

Annual Review of Kosovo's Foreign Policy (2022)

The Annual Review of Kosovo's Foreign Policy (2022) is the 4th report produced by PIPS over the years, which aims to analyze the achievements and obstacles of Kosovo's foreign policy.

This report describes the key points of Kosovo's foreign policy in 2022. The report aims to provide a description of the most significant achievements and obstacles that Kosovo's institutions and leadership have encountered in advancing the country's strategic interests and foreign relations.

*It is worth noting that the report and data were collected only during the calendar year of 2022*

Open Call for Consulting Service

OPEN CALL FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES:

A key challenge in relation to EU membership negotiations is the focus on political aspects, with preparation and institutional stability seen as less important by government institutions and other stakeholders.

Therefore, PIPS together with the FOL Movement, as implementers of this project supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kosovo within the MATRA program, made an open call for consultancy services.

As part of the call, a public opinion poll will be drawn up for Kosovo's EU membership negotiations, along with the methodology that will be used when measuring the opinion poll.

This survey is done with the aim of understanding the degree to which citizens are informed about what are the next steps of Kosovo towards EU membership, and to understand the perceptions and opinions of citizens regarding Kosovo's progress so far in this process.

For more information about the documentation, download the document below.

Thirrje për 2 (dy) ekspertë në projektin 'Të drejtat për komunitetet rurale'

Komunitetet e largëta rurale dhe malore në Kosovë përballen me sfida të mëdha në qasjen në informata për të drejtat e tyre ligjore dhe në kërkimin e drejtësisë. Ka disa faktorë që kontribuojnë në këtë situatë, si infrastruktura e dobët, niveli i ulët i arsimit dhe mungesa e burimeve ligjore. Kushtetuta e Republikës së Kosovës garanton një gamë të gjerë të dispozitave për të drejtat e njeriut, por këto ligje shpesh shkelen dhe zbatimi i tyre është joadekuat.

Andaj PIPS, si implementues i këtij projekti të mbështetur nga Community Development Fund (CDF) dhe Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS), bënë thirrje për 2 (dy) ekspertë. Ekspertët pritet që të:

*Zhvillojnë sesione informative, prezantime dhe konsultime mbi tema të ndryshme të të drejtave të njeriut si diskriminimi, dhuna dhe qasja në drejtësi.

*Ofrojnë këshilla dhe mbështetje për ata që kanë përjetuar një dhunë të tillë.