Emigration from Kosovo

A substantial emigration from Kosovo has been taken place in various phases during the second half of the 20th century. It is estimated that about a third of people of Kosovan descent currently live outside of Kosovo. Emigration has taken place in separate waves motivated mainly by economic reasons, but also as a result of the Kosovo War. The Kosovo diaspora is usually included in the wider Albanian diaspora with Albanians from Albania and Macedonia.

Turkey

Western Europe

As the population of Kosovo mainly consisted of Kosovar Albanians, emigrant population was of a corresponding composition, with about 90% Albanians besides smaller numbers of Kosovo Serbs, Bosniaks, Roma, Ashkali and Balkan Egyptians, Turks etc.[6]

The largest numbers of Kosovan emigrants are found in Germany (300,000), Switzerland (350,000),[7] the U.S. and Scandinavia, making almost 800,000 Kosovars living abroad.[8]

Since 2008, the constitutional status of Kosovo is under dispute, it is recognized by some states as the Republic of Kosovo and by others as a part of the Republic of Serbia. After the creation of UNMIK, Kosovars were able to travel using specially created documents, while in 2009 the Republic of Kosovo began issuing passports. Some retain Serbian nationality which is open to all Kosovan citizens. For this reason, there is no reliable statistics of the figure of the Kosovoar diaspora.

Current situation

With 70 percent of the population being under the age of 35, Kosovo has one of the most pronounced youth bulges in Europe. There continues to be a significant trend for emigration, with about 50 percent of Kosovo's youth stating they would emigrate if they could. Around 200,000 young persons are expected to enter the labour market in the next five years in Kosovo (EC 2007). Kosovo’s labour market is unable to absorb this high number. A Framework paper for the donor’s conference held on 11 July 2008 by the UK Government’s DFID (DFID, 2008) suggests that Kosovo could become an exporter of labour.[9]

Ministry of Diaspora

Coat of arms of Kosovo

On 19 May 2011, the Government of Kosovo took a decision on the establishment of the Ministry of Diaspora, with a mandate to establish closer ties with compatriots, to represent their interests as well as to create opportunities for them to participate directly in decision-making processes future of the state. Ministry of Diaspora will be the node that will be linked and set guidelines for the implementation of projects that will be useful for diaspora and Kosovo. Its activity is determined by the Government Regulation. The purview of the Ministry of Diaspora:

Diaspora investment in Kosovo

Further information: Economy of Kosovo

Ministry of Diaspora organised the conference “Attracting Diaspora investment in Kosovo”, where diaspora has been considered as an important part of the economy of Kosovo.

On the other side Minister of Diaspora, Mr. Ibrahim Makolli said that the objectives of the ministry which he leads are to identify, encourage and to support investment from diaspora.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry Mimoza Kusari – Lila showed the planes on investment attraction of the Kosovo’s diaspora, which are linked directly to two agencies that operate under the MTI. At the Media Conference, she talked about the Business Registration Agency that will collaborate with Ministry of Diaspora on opening Business Registration Centres in: Switzerland, Germany, America and Turkey, which will serve business registrations out of Kosovo where the owners will be Kosovars. In that meeting many international representatives were present. The objective of those conferences will be investment promotion and inform Kosovo diaspora on doing business facilities and reforms happened in Kosovo.

Furthermore, nowadays business registration in Kosovo can be done much easier and faster; export and import procedures for the Kosovo goods has been significantly reduced; a considerable number of construction licenses has been eliminated while in meantime in regard to contract implementation area a considerable improvement has been made through laws governing enforcement procedures, notary and cadastre.

Among other Minister Kusari – Lila also have mentioned the conclusion of the investment protection agreement, where so far several agreements have been signed with 12 other countries (as Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Netherland, Croatia, Japan, UAE, Kuwaiti, Qatar, Norway, France and Montenegro). At the end, she has mentioned improvement of relations with European Union which affect on investment promotion growth.

Kosovo’s remittances for 2010 were €511.6 million, while 30% of direct foreign investments have come exactly from diaspora.[11]

Direct investments

Around 25% of businesses surveyed were established with partial or full support from diaspora, through:

Only 2% of businesses were supported by International Development Agencies. Almost none were supported by National Government.[12]

Socio-economic development contribution

According to official statistics Kosovo benefits from the diaspora 450 - 500,000,000 million euros in annual revenues. Around 30 percent of households in Kosovo have access to international remittances – in form of money or goods. 49% of donors live in Germany, 24% in Switzerland. Remittances made 17,5 percent of country’s GDP in year 2000 (275 million Euro).[13]

Agency of Diaspora

In order to support the migrants KDA is established. Kosovo Diaspora Agency, according to the law is a responsible government body for diaspora members, which exercises and implements the authority and responsibilities defined by the law. The Kosovo Diaspora Agency is founded as an Executive Agency, which is part of the office of the Prime Minister.

And it has the following responsibilities:

Studies

Beyond Remittances: Public Diplomacy and Kosovo's diaspora

Based on the article 'Beyond Remittances: Public Diplomacy and Kosovo's diaspora',[15] Kosovo diaspora is seen as source for the country’s public diplomacy because it is considered that the role of Kosovo’s diaspora is being a primary provider of remittances and investments in Kosovo.This is founded by SDC in Forum for Democratic Initiatives, Pristina

Forum for Democratics Initiatives has also found: Report based on the results of a survey lasted a year collaborating with the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, and commissioned by the Swiss agency for development and cooperation (SDC). It was found that about a third of Kosovar families are taking international shipments, which are mainly used for consumption and luxury goods. Diaspora fund to start businesses is twelve-fold higher than that received from international development agencies. However, compared with diaspora investment expectations remain low, this is due to the focus on integration rather than on the financial support of Kosovo.

Preferences for emigration of Kosovars after Germany[16]

Based on 'Kosovo - winning its independence but losing its people? Recent evidence on emigration intentions',[17] the reasons of emigration that contribute in diaspora forming, vary or are linked to the population needs, thus the quality of educating, the level of conditions for work, unemployment emphasis the desire to migrate. But we should be aware that the Kosovars abroad consider the labour force with low education so works that are done from them are like building construction, public service etc.

Regarding the survey, the first preference for Kosovar ethnicity for emigration is Germany, on the list are Switzerland and the U.S. (both 34%), UK (29%), France (18.2%), Italy (16.4%) and Sweden (15.2%). Favourite places to Kosovo Serbs: Serbia (29.7%) and Switzerland (21.6%), USA, Norway, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Slovenia and Montenegro with a score between 4 and 6%. For both populations Switzerland is an attractive destination, reflecting previous networks refugees. (ESI) (2006). Germany is also the most important destination among Kosovo Albanians. The main reasons for emigration 52.5% of respondents emphasize unemployment in Kosovo, 25.7% a chance to increase income and 9.7% better career and growth opportunities.

At the same time, the report reflects on the fragile state of the economy, in particular the unemployment rate, which is rated at about 40%.

Voting

Elections for the Assembly of Kosovo are held free, general, equal, direct and secret, in pursuance to the Law on General Elections in Kosovo and the rules of CEC. Voters are equal in exercising their right to vote. Every citizen of Kosovo has the right to vote and be chosen without any discrimination based on race, ethnic community, colour, gender, language, religion or political opinion, education, social affiliation or any other criteria.

The law on General Elections in Kosovo, among other things regulates:

Every person has the right to vote in the elections, in accordance with this law if he/she has reached the age of 18 in the day of elections and fulfils one of the following criteria:

Freedom and secrecy of vote is guaranteed. No one has the right to prevent any citizen to vote, to compel to vote, to hold responsible for voting or to request, against his/her wish to reveal his/her vote or reasons for not voting.[18]

References

  1. https://books.google.se/books?id=OKEal7FHClUC&pg=PA10&dq=albanians+in+turkey&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=0CDkQ6AEwBmoVChMIlYb2oPPGyAIVq55yCh28yQ9v#v=onepage&q=albanians%20in%20turkey&f=10
  2. Judah. The Serbs. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-15826-7.
  3. "Kosovo diaspora". Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  4. "Kosovo Genocide: Massacres". Web Genocide Documentation Centre. University of the West of England. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  5. "Poverty spurs mass migration from Kosovo". EurActiv.com. 16 February 2015.
  6. "Kosovo diaspora". Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  7. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1394141/Switzerland-draw-Kosovo-connection-future.html
  8. "Kosovo diaspora". Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  9. Haxhikadrija, Amir (16 April 2009). (PDF) http://www.hslu.ch/amir_haxhikadrija_e.pdf. Retrieved 23 February 2013. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. "Ministry of Diaspora". Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  11. "Attracting Diaspora investment in Kosovo". Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  12. Haxhikadrija, Amir (16 April 2009). (PDF) http://www.hslu.ch/amir_haxhikadrija_e.pdf. Retrieved 23 February 2013. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. "Development contribution". Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  14. "Ministry of Diaspora". Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  15. Xharra, Waehlisch (16 July 2012). "Beyond Remittances: Public Diplomacy and Kosovo's diaspora". Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  16. Ivļevs, King (September 2009). "Kosovo - winning its independence but losing its people?" (PDF). Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  17. Ivļevs, King (September 2009). "Kosovo - winning its independence but losing its people?" (PDF). Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  18. "Voting". Retrieved 23 February 2013.

See also

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