KFOS and MOFA join resources for public diplomacy in Kosovo

Prishtina – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo and Kosovo Foundation for Open Society (KFOS), a part of the global Soros foundation network, have signed a Memorandum of Collaboration on implementing a joint project in the area of public diplomacy and increasing capacities. This multi-year KFOS project will now be also supported in the year 2012 and brings in many internationally and Kosovo renowned individuals, activities and institutions dealing with civil, cultural and public diplomacy.

Many other events and exchanges promoting civil values in a wider spectrum of civil actors, academics and politics have been envisioned, especially in countries that have not yet recognized Kosovo as a state.

The main idea of this multilateral project lies in opening as many communications channels as possible between Kosovo and the ‘difficult’ states who still keep their doors closed to a normal governmental and civil communication but also to help the society and the institutions by increasing capacities and providing experts of various fields who are necessary to a proper flow of public diplomacy projects by having a focus on Kosovo’s European integrations. Through analysis and research studies it will be aimed at promoting Kosovo’s European agenda and undoing the various biases identified as a real obstacle for Kosovo’s normal cooperation with the countries that have not yet recognized its independence.

KFOS (Soros Foundation) shall be implementing this project in full, based on its experience and expertise developed during the last three years when it implemented numerous promotional activities with the five EU member states who do not recognize Kosovo as well as with some countries in the region. In collaboration with the “KS talks EU” program, a publication of a study conducted by distinguished European experts is anticipated soon and which analyzes the causes of non-recognition of Kosovo from the five EU member states and which should be used as the basis for the adequate policy drafting during year 2012 in order to raise the level of cooperation between Kosovo and these states up until the recognition. The project also covers to a large extent the concrete needs identified by the MOFA’s Recognitions Strategy and it is the second collaborative project for MOFA after the continued agreement with the British Council.

MOFA has allocated a grant of 350.000 Euro worth which shall join the existing KFOS funds in order to implement this project during 2011-2012, thus doubling the resources readily available for this important project which has a detailed implementation plan.

Statement issued jointly by: KFOS and MFA

Source: Kosovo’s Foreing Ministry (article >> )

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