Interethnic Dialogue and Reconciliation in Kosovo - Project on ...

The Mayor of NovoBrdo/Novo Berde, Bajrush Ymeri, praised effortstowards reconciliation <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>terethnic dialogue <strong>in</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong>. Serbs arereturn<strong>in</strong>g to this municipality <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>ter-ethnic relationships are consideredto be some of the best <strong>in</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong>. Novo Brdo is also one of the fewexamples <strong>in</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong> where the municipal government was formed <strong>in</strong>coalition with Serb political parties. His election was partly due to thesignificant number of votes he received from Serb <strong>and</strong> Roma voters,which he felt was a clear example of democratic spirit <strong>and</strong> grow<strong>in</strong>g trust<strong>in</strong> the region.A Serb civil society representative expressed disagreement that truthfuldialogue <strong>and</strong> reconciliation exists <strong>in</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong>. He stated that Kosovansociety does not demonstrate true responsibility <strong>in</strong> its relationshipbetween the communities. He added that the hostile attitude towardsreturns <strong>in</strong> Zac/Zallç village is a step backwards for <strong>Kosovo</strong>, <strong>and</strong> decisiveaction is needed to prevent similar action that can impede dialogue <strong>in</strong>the future. Albanian civil society representatives also praised the dialogue<strong>in</strong>itiatives, but highlighted <strong>in</strong>cidents (such as publish<strong>in</strong>g the names ofSerbs work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational organizations, as happened <strong>in</strong> Mitrovica)as obstacles to constructive dialogue.The debate concluded that there is still mistrust <strong>and</strong> political differencesbetween the two communities, but that many Albanians <strong>and</strong> Serbs haveestablished true friendships. It is important to cont<strong>in</strong>ue dialogue, especiallydue to the fact that <strong>in</strong>terethnic relations <strong>and</strong> security <strong>in</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong>have improved significantly <strong>in</strong> recent years. Honesty between communitieswas seen as a key element for more constructive <strong>in</strong>terethnic dialogue<strong>in</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong>. Both communities should avoid any political or nationaliststatements that could harm efforts for cont<strong>in</strong>ued honest <strong>in</strong>terethnic dialogue.The implementation of the decentralization process is considered as oneof the ma<strong>in</strong> priorities for the <strong>Kosovo</strong> government, however, some challengesrang<strong>in</strong>g from f<strong>in</strong>ancial to complete transfer of competencies, slowdown the process <strong>and</strong> efforts to address current issues <strong>in</strong> a more effectiveway.Despite some of these challenges, the efforts <strong>and</strong> achievements of thenewly formed municipality of Gracanica were praised by those <strong>in</strong> thedebate. At the beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of the debate, the mayor of Gracanica presentedsome facts outl<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g his view that the establishment of the municipalitywas positive with respect to improv<strong>in</strong>g the function<strong>in</strong>g of the municipalitythrough <strong>in</strong>stitution of more effective management <strong>and</strong> efficientservices to citizens. The transfer of competencies has concluded <strong>in</strong>almost all spheres <strong>and</strong> discussions are ongo<strong>in</strong>g regard<strong>in</strong>g the transfer ofrema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g responsibilities.These positive facts were acknowledged by the M<strong>in</strong>ister who stressed theimportance of the function<strong>in</strong>g of the municipality <strong>and</strong> praised themunicipality for its provision of adm<strong>in</strong>istrative services to citizens <strong>and</strong> itsoperat<strong>in</strong>g at full adm<strong>in</strong>istrative capacity. Municipality <strong>in</strong>vestmentsundertaken thus far are positively impact<strong>in</strong>g the lives of citizens, which<strong>in</strong> turn contributes to the improvement of services <strong>and</strong> helps promotenew perspectives regard<strong>in</strong>g the potential future of the municipality.There was disagreement expressed by the Serb leader regard<strong>in</strong>g the positivefigures presented at the debate. The function<strong>in</strong>g of the municipalitywas challenged with the example of the municipality budget, which iscurrently generated from the central budget <strong>and</strong> donations. It was contendedthat this will have a negative impact as it will make it more difficultfor the municipality to generate <strong>in</strong>come <strong>in</strong> the future, <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong> turnTV Debate: Future of Gracanica MunicipalityEight months after the official establishment of the newly decentralizedmunicipality of Gracanica, the <strong>Project</strong> on Ethnic Relations (PER) <strong>and</strong>Balkan Investigative Report<strong>in</strong>g Network (BIRN) organized a TV debatebetween the M<strong>in</strong>ister of Local Government Adm<strong>in</strong>istration, the Mayorof Gracanica, the local Serb leader <strong>and</strong> a representative from civil societyto discuss two ma<strong>in</strong> issues concern<strong>in</strong>g the new municipality: a) how isthe new municipality function<strong>in</strong>g follow<strong>in</strong>g the decentralization process,<strong>and</strong> b) what are the ma<strong>in</strong> challenges fac<strong>in</strong>g the municipality <strong>in</strong> thisprocess.50Left to Right: Zarko Korac, Riza Hailimi, Ylber Hysa, Ardian Gj<strong>in</strong>i, <strong>and</strong> Laszlo Jozsa.51