Workshop, European Caf Debate and presentation of initial findings - PDF document

Workshop, European Café Debate and presentation of initial findings in Kosovo Deliverable 5.7 (Version 1; 20.11.2017) Prepared by: KCSS

Project acronym: EUNPACK Project full title: Good intentions, mixed results – A conflict sensitive unpacking of the EU comprehensive approach to conflict and crisis mechanisms Grant agreement no.: 693337 Type of action: Research and Innovation Action Project start date: 01 April 2016 Project duration: 36 months Call topic: H2020-INT-05-2015 Project web‐site: www.eunpack.eu Document: Workshop, European Café Debate and presentation of initial findings in Kosovo Deliverable number: 5.7 Deliverable title: Workshop, European Café Debate and presentation of initial findings in Kosovo Due date of deliverable: 30.11.2017 Actual submission date: 29.11.2017 Editors: Line Hammeren (NUPI) Authors: KCSS Reviewers: Morten Bøås (NUPI) Participating beneficiaries: COMENIUS, KCSS, BCSP, NUPI, CEPS, UMan Work Package no.: 5 Work Package title: Crisis Response in the Enlargement Area Work Package leader: COMENIUS Work Package participants: COMENIUS, KCSS, BCSP, NUPI, CEPS, UMan Estimated person‐months for deliverable: 0,15 Dissemination level: Public Nature: Report Version: 1 Draft/Final: Final No of pages (including cover): 8 Keywords: EU crisis response, Impact

Invitation to Open Dialogue Sharing the Survey Findings and Recommendations of “ Public Perception about the European Union (EU) in Kosovo ” Date: Monday, 20 th November 2017 Time: 13:00 - 14:30 Venue: Kosovar Centre for Security Studies Office premises Distinguished Invitee , Kosovar Center for Security Studies (KCSS) is pleased to host an event for presenting the findings and recommendations of Policy Brief: “Public Perceptions of the EU’s Role in Crisis Management in South Mitrovica” by Mr. Josef Batora, Mr. Shpend Kursani and Ms. Kari Osland. After the introductory speech by KCSS Director, Dr Florian Qehaja, Mr. Batora will introduce the project and present the survey findings and moderate the focused discussion on the review of findings. It is with great pleasure that we invite you to this event at 13:00 PM on Monday, 20 th November 2017 at KCSS Office premises EUNPACK research project has been designed and developed to critically examine whether EU external crisis response is sensitive to the political and social context on the ground. These studies are being conducted through a consortium at seven countries including Kosovo. KCSS as a member of the consortium is conducting the project’s studies in Kosovo and uses the EU Role in Crisis Management in South Mitrovica as a case study. Please find the agenda in the attachment for details. We are looking forward to your active participation in this event. Kindly R.S.V.P. to this invitation by contacting: Arife Muji (0037744645408; arife.muji@qkss.org) no later than Friday, 17 November 2017.

AGENDA “Public Perception about the European Union (EU) in Kosovo” Date: 20 th of November 2017 Venue: Kosovar Centre for Security Studies Office premises Details of Agenda 13:00 – 13:15 Arrival and registration of participants 13:15 – 14:00 Presentation of the results Mr. Florian Qehaja Executive Director of KCSS Mr. Jozef Batora, Comenius University in Bratislava 14:00 – 14:30 Open discussion and recommendation November 2017 Venue: KCSS Office premises, Str.Sylejman Vokshi Block B,Entry 2, No.1, 10000, Prishtina, Kosovo

List of Invitees Sharing the Findings and Recommendations of “Public perceptions of the EU’s Role in Crisis Management in South Mitrovica” Monday, 20 th November 2017 N Name Title Department/ Contacts Organization O Fatmire Press and Public Information EU office 049787-931 1 Terdevci Center Mark Baskin Professor R.I.T 044-974-435 2 Plator Avdiu KCSS 044-283-527 3 Researcher KCSS 4 Arife Muji Researcher 044-645-408 Ian McDonald EU-Project- 043-992-777 5 Team Leader B&S Europe OCC-CVE Florian Qehaja KCSS 6 Executive Director 044-182-865 Donika Marku Research Assistant KCSS 7 044-725653 KCSS / 8 Vese Kelmendi Researcher

Open Dialogue Sharing the Survey Findings and Recommendations of “Public perceptions of the EU’s Role in Crisis Management in South Mitrovica ” Date: Monday, 20 st November 2017 Time: 13:00 - 14:30 Kosovar Center for Security (KCSS) conducted an Open Dialogue to share survey findings on Public Perceptions of the EU’s Role in Crisis Management in South Mitrovica . The participants of the event were representatives of EU Office in Prishtina, EU Officials, professors and researchers. Furthermore, the debate was attended via Skype by two researchers of policy brief Dr. Jozef Batora, Comenius University, and Dr. Kari M. Osland, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI). The Open Dialogue started with an introductory speech by KCSS Director, Dr. Florian Qehaja, followed by Batora who introduced the project, methodology and presented key research findings and recommendations. After Batora’s speech, Arife Muji, lead KCSS field researcher in South Mitrovica, presented the field research conducted during July and explained the attitudes and opinions of respondents during the interviews. Batora opened the floor for discussion with a number of key questions for participants. The participants were asked to share their views on the situation and what might explain the research findings. During an hour and a half of open discussion, most of the participants supported the survey findings and recommendations while providing their interpretation of the situation. The participants highlighted some key challenges and obstacles and explained why they believe that citizens in South Mitrovica have a more positive attitude towards EU crisis management than citizens in North Mitrovica. One participant stated that in North Mitrovica, Kosovo-Serbs identify with Serbia and have little trust in the government of Kosovo and EU’s intentions towards Kosovo. Other participants noted that even though citizens of South Mitrovica have shown a more positive attitude towards EU than citizens of North Mitrovica, they still perceive EULEX work regarding rule of law as insufficient and lacking decisiveness in fighting crime and corruption. Also, during the discussion it was mentioned that the Kosovo-Serb community is always concerned whether they are loyal to local leaders but also to the leaders and government in Belgrade. Another reason mentioned for this difference in attitude is the Kosovo-Serb pro-Russian sentiment and Kosovo-Albanian pro-

European sentiment. Pro- Russian sentiment should not be disregarded, since there was an agreement to help the north-population in Mitrovica, while Kosovo-Albanians are eager to reach EU support and integration. The Open Dialogue event was concluded by Qehaja and Batora by concluding the discussed points of how do the findings resonate with the current situation and EU’s role in Crisis Management in South Mitrovica and what recommendations derive from such situation.