An online platform MIK was launched by the government of Kosovo on May 14. MIK means in Albanian ‘friend’ and is simultaneously the abbreviation of ‘ Made in Kosova’. At a press of a button a wide spectrum of information about the youngest Europe’s state and vibrant Republic of Kosovo is available here. There is information about Kosovo key 10 sectors, history and political system, its vibrant cities, festivals and artistic events. There is also a special section devoted to business opportunities: investing, exporting and industries and a possibility to establish a contact with various sectors.
The platform also depicts a broad scope of photographs of various enchanting regions as well as of Kosovo art. It is a definitely a brilliant way to get to know Kosovo and start planning your visit to this wonderful country and its extremely hospitable people.
Check below our interview with H.E. Ambassador of Kosovo to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mr. Dren Doli about the reasons to visit his country.
Information background about Kosovo
Kosovo lies in the Balkan Peninsula, and has borders with Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. It has an estimated population of 1.8 million. Kosovo has gone through so much and achieved so much in the past 15 years. Independence of Kosovo came at a huge cost: a systematic campaign of terror, including murders, rapes, arsons and severe maltreatments. The Kosovo War led to 13,500 deaths or people missing, displacement of between 1.2 million to 1.45 people.
Kosovo declaration of independence was adopted on 17 February 2008 by the Assembly of Kosovo. In a meeting attended by 109 of the total 120 members, the assembly unanimously declared Kosovo to be independent from Serbia. All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings.
Among the G20 countries, eleven (including all seven G7 countries) have recognised Kosovo as an independent state: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Kosovo has been recognised by 117 countries including major European Union countries. Serbia which is backed up by Russia, refuses to recognise it. Although Serbia does not recognise Kosovo as an independent country, in accordance with the Brussels Agreement (19 April 2013) has to begin normalise relations with Kosovo. Kosovo is not yet member of the United Nations, EU and NATO.
Since becoming an independent country it has become a member of the international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund IMF (since 29 June 2009 ), World Bank (since 29 June 2009 ), World Customs Organization (since 3 March 2017), The International Road Transport Union (IRU) (since May 2009), The International Bar Association (IBA) (since 28 May 2009), International Olympic Committee IOC (since 9 December 2014), Union of European Football Associations UEFA (since 2016), The Fédération Internationale de Football Association FIFA (since 13th of May 2016), and many other international sports organisations including The International Orienteering Federation (IOF). Kosovo has also signed the first Stabilisation and Association Agreement with EU.(read more here: Kosovo-EU_SAA_Final_2 (1)
or here: http://www.kryeministri-ks.net/repository/docs/Kosovo-EU_SAA_Final_2.pdf)
In June 2014, Kosovo became a member state of the Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe.
Author: Beata Bruggeman-Sękowska is an award-winning international journalist, TV correspondent, author, chief editor of international journalism centre, Central and Eastern Europe Centre, president of the European Institute on Communist Oppression and a sworn translator. She was born in Warsaw, Poland and has also Armenian blood and roots in Lvov, which is part of Ukraine. She has been living in Heerlen, the Netherlands since 2005.
Image: MIK
