European Integration of Kosovo: Problems and Prospects

Amid the tectonic shifts in the international arena, the problem of obtaining a true sovereignty by the Republic of Kosovo, and of its political trajectory has become relevant again. The article analyzes the reasons why in the timeframe of five forthcoming years and later in the foreseeable future, Kosovo will not be accepted into the European Union. The main reasons for such a conclusion are the lack of the Republic’s sovereignty, unstable relations with Serbia, and the absence of necessary economic indicators (low GDP, export and import indicators, the status of the Republic in the eyes of European partners, investment indicators, the level of migration, etc.). The author excludes the possibility for Kosovo to gain comprehensive recognition and an imminent entry into the EU, estimates the probability of military escalation of the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo as relatively low. For a long time, the unresolved status of the Republic of Kosovo has been limiting the chances for both Serbia and Kosovo to develop relations with partners in and outside the eurozone. At the moment, the parties have come to the point where chances for possible European integration remain low for both sides.