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) - 101 download(s)
Kosovo's prospects to join the WTO: A short evaluation of the decision-making routes(.pdf, 4.74 MB) - 99 download(s)

MONITORING REPORT: ENERGY STRATEGY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO 2022-2031 (Period 2023)

The Prishtina Institute for Political Studies has published the Monitoring Report: Energy Strategy of the Republic of Kosovo 2022-2031, for the period 2023. The report was made within the project 'Increasing public accountability in the process of European integration', in cooperation with the FOL Movement, supported by the MATRA program, which is financed by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kosovo. The monitored measures are the measures taken from the Kosovo Energy Strategy for the period 2022 and 2023. The report aims to evaluate achievements and identify challenges during the years 2022 and 2023 of the implementation of the strategy.

Open Call and Terms of Reference for a Videographer/Video Editor

PIPS seeks a skilled videographer/video editor for our School of Politics Program. The role will involve producing high-quality videos of seminars and interviews. These videos will be shared on our website, social media, and public events.

This call is made possible by the project that PIPS is implementing (Building Bridges of Accountability: The Path to Reconciliation) supported by the EU regional funded project “EU Support to Confidence Building in the Western Balkans", and implemented by UNDP.

Application Process:

Submit your CV, portfolio, and financial offer to shkolla.politike@gmail.com or info@pips-ks.org no later than the 1^st of May, 2024.

Institutional Structure and Other Preconditions for Kosovo's accession in the EU

The Prishtina Institute for Political Studies publishes the next report, in line with the MATRA project from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as co-implementer of the project with the FOL Movement.

This report discusses Kosovo's Institutional Preparedness for joining the European Union (EU), following the EU's new enlargement methodology. It provides context on Kosovo's relations with the EU, highlights achievements in implementing the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), and explores the requirements for accession negotiations under the new methodology. The analysis outlines the potential impact of progress in thematic areas during negotiations, obligations for Kosovo, positive outcomes, and potential negative consequences.

Parandalimi dhe luftimi i korrupsionit përmes përmirësimit të sistemit të llogaridhënies, profesionalizmit dhe pavarësisë së sistemit të drejtësisë

Dokumenti i përgatitur nga grupi i Shkollës Politike (Gjenerata e 21-të) nënvizon një sfidë të vazhdueshme brenda sistemit gjyqësor dhe prokurorial të Kosovës, duke theksuar në mënyrë specifike mangësitë që mund ti ketë procesi i vlerësimit të performancës për gjyqtarët dhe prokurorët.

Për të adresuar këto çështje, dokumenti përshkruan objektivat për të përmirësuar cilësinë e punës midis gjyqtarëve dhe prokurorëve, duke promovuar transparencën, llogaridhënien dhe profesionalizmin.