Kosovo Business Alliance: After The Hague Verdict, Kosovo Risks Economic Costs and Investor Confidence

The Kosovo Business Alliance expresses concern that The Hague verdict could affect Kosovo’s international image and investor confidence.

The Kosovo Business Alliance has reacted after today’s decision by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague against the former KLA leaders, expressing concern over the impact this development could have on Kosovo’s international image and the investment climate.

KBA has stressed that it respects the independence of justice and the parties’ right to use all legal remedies, including appeal procedures.

“Today’s decision is a first-instance decision, and the legal process continues in accordance with the established procedures,” the KBA reaction says.

However, the organization representing the private sector says it is concerned about the economic consequences and international perception that such developments could create for the Republic of Kosovo.

“Today, Kosovo needs more than ever foreign investments, capital, technology, new jobs, exports, and integration into the European market.”

According to KBA, investors do not look only at the market and costs, but also assess a country’s political stability, rule of law, legal security, and international perception.

KBA has warned that any development that could create a perception of political or legal uncertainty must be handled responsibly by Kosovo’s institutions.

“KBA is concerned that Kosovo should not be perceived internationally only through a painful chapter of its past, but should also be valued for its economic potential, youth, diaspora, entrepreneurship, and investment opportunities,” it continues.

In the reaction, KBA has asked the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo to strengthen institutional and political stability, increase the confidence of domestic and foreign investors, develop more active economic diplomacy, and communicate clearly with international partners about the country’s economic potential.

KBA also calls for guaranteeing legal security and the rule of law, and for political and legal developments not to harm Kosovo’s economy and businesses.

“Kosovo must not be seen as a country without perspective. Kosovo is a country with a new economy, with thousands of enterprises, with a new generation of entrepreneurs, with a strong diaspora, and with great potential for investment.”

KBA has also called for economic and institutional unity, stressing that political clashes should not deepen at the expense of the economy.

“Businesses have no party borders. Investments have no political color. Employment has no party. Kosovo’s economic future is a common national interest,” the reaction says.

KBA chairman Agim Shahini said Kosovo simultaneously needs justice, functional institutions, and economic development.

“Kosovo needs justice, but Kosovo also needs the economy. Kosovo needs institutions, but also investments. Kosovo needs historical memory, but above all it must build the future.”

Today in The Hague the verdict was announced against the former KLA leaders. Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi were found guilty and sentenced to prison by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. The judicial process has not ended with this decision, as the parties have the right to appeal in the appellate procedures.