A CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO VJOSA OSMANI - More than a decade after its declaration of independence, the Republic of Kosovo continues to face a set of challenges, both at home and on its path toward integration in the Euro-Atlantic community and its core institutions of the European Union and NATO. While all Kosovars broadly agree on where they want to see their country end up, there remain significant barriers to achieving these goals. While daunting challenges like high youth unemployment, a sluggish economy, corruption, and polarized politics dominate at home, relations with Serbia loom large over almost all foreign policy concerns.

President Osmani joined the Council for a candid conversation about Kosovo’s priorities and her agenda for achieving them. What role can the Biden Administration play alongside its EU allies in helping firmly anchor Kosovo in the Euro-Atlantic community? What are Kosovo’s expectations for the upcoming Berlin Process Summit? What is the outlook for the Belgrade-Priština Dialogue? And what opportunities does Kosovo see to promote post-pandemic recovery through regional economic cooperation?

This discussion is part of the Europe Center’s #BalkansForward Initiative, a coordinated effort to foster a democratic, secure, and prosperous Western Balkans firmly integrated into the Euro-Atlantic community.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 06/09/2021