| Abstract |
“Consolidation of peace following violent conflict does not only depend upon creating and maintaining a secure environment but also requires improvement of the economic and social situation, without which peace will only be ephemeral. A thorough evaluation of the political system, the security situation, the social dimension and the state of the economy, brings the result that Kosovo, primarily due to its failure adequately to provide a decent life for its 1citizens and hope for their future, remains a fragile and unfinished state – a judgment which throws a negative light on the efforts of the international community since 1999. While the international engagement in Kosovo has successfully managed to improve security and considerably curtailed direct violence, the economic and social position of the country is still calamitous, and unemployment and poverty are Kosovo’s most intractable problems. Positive peace has not been achieved even after 14 years of international presence. Although the international community has an important role to play, Kosovo’s achievement of positive peace will primarily depend upon the Kosovar authorities. The measure of success or failure to achieve an end to violence, will be less how many countries have recognized Kosovo’s independence, but whether Kosovo succeeds in improving economic and social conditions”. |
