The Democratic Institute of Kosovo published on Tuesday a report on the implementation of the Berlin Process, according to which the country has continued to make moderate progress, especially in the field of digitalization. Meanwhile, the acting Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, said that Serbia has not implemented the agreements reached within the framework of this process and expressed skepticism that new agreements can be reached.
Acting Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, has accused Serbia of not implementing the agreements reached during the Berlin Process.
Within the framework of this Process, which aims to increase regional cooperation in the Western Balkans and provide assistance for their integration into the European Union, Rizvanolli said that Kosovo is more active than neighboring countries.
She expressed skepticism that new agreements can be reached, considering the blockade that Serbia has imposed on energy transmission.
“Kosovo has specific political problems that make you not hope much for new agreements. If we talk about energy, one thing we have experienced all along is that we have voted in the Berlin Process, on the other hand, today we are in a situation where Serbia has not allowed the allocation of capacities in transmission lines for 5 years,” said Rizvanolli.
The minister made this statement on Tuesday at the roundtable organized by the Democratic Institute of Kosovo, at which the report on the implementation of the Berlin Process agreements was published.
Based on the report, over the course of a year, Kosovo has continued to make moderate progress in implementing the Berlin Process Regional Common Market Action Plan, specifically in the Digitalization section.
Meanwhile, KDI researcher, Violeta Haxholli, has listed some of the observations related to digitalization.
“Kosovo has achieved an internet penetration of around 100 percent, which exceeds the EU average, which is the most positive development in terms of digitalization. Meanwhile, as we have undertaken obligations and are required by the EU, Kosovo should make efforts to implement 5G technology, which is being developed, but needs to be further developed,” said Haxholli.
The report recommended that Kosovo ensure sufficient resources for the implementation of digital skills strategies and continue efforts to improve digital infrastructure, develop the digital skills of teachers and students, and address inequalities for disadvantaged groups and minorities, reducing the digital competence gap in education.