Kosovo ENG

COUNTRY FACT SHEET

KOSOVO

Disclaimer IOM has carried out the gathering of information with great care. IOM provides information at its best knowledge and in all conscience.

Nevertheless, IOM cannot assume to be held accountable for the correctness of the information provided. Furthermore, IOM shall not be liable for any conclusions made or any results, which are drawn from the information provided by IOM. 1

COUNTRY FACT SHEET

TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS I. GENERAL OVERVIEW

1. Government

2. International Disputes II. RETURNING TO KOSOVO

1. Access to Territory

2. Travel Documents Needed for Returnees

3. Documents Needed in The Country of Return

4. Travel to Kosovo

5. Impact of Former Acts and Statuses upon Entry III. ECONOMIC SITUATION AND EMPLOYMENT

1. Economic Overview

2. Trade and Industry

3. Agriculture

4. Employment Opportunities

5. Accessing the Labor Market

6. The Employment Projects for Returnees IV. BANKING SYSTEM AND BUSINESS SET-UP OPPORTUNITIES

1. The Banking System

2. Micro Credit Loans for Business or Property V. SOCIAL WELFARE VI. PENSIONS VII. MEDICAL CARE

1. The Health System

2. Registering with a Health Insurance Company

3. Medical Treatment VIII. EDUCATIOON

1. The Education System

2. Access to the Different Levels of Education

2. Foreign Diplomas

3. Vocational Training Courses

4. Scholarships for Studying Abroad IX. HOUSING X. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS XI. TRANSPORTATION XII. TELECOMMUNICATION

1. Post

2. Phones

3. Internet

4. Mobile Phones XIII. VULNERABLE GROUPS

1. Psycho-Social Support

2. Housing

3. Education XIV. USEFUL LINKS

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET I. GENERAL OVERVIEW • • • • • •

• • • • •

Population: 1.8 million.

Area: 10,887 sq km Capital: Pristina (Prishtinë/Priština) Head of State: Acting President Jakup Krasniqi (since 27 September 2010) GDP/capita: $2,500 (2007) Religions: The majority ethnic Albanian population, as well as the Bosniak, Gorani, and Turkish communities, and some of the Roma/Ashkalia/Egyptian communities are adherents of Islam. The ethnic Serb population is largely Serb Orthodox.

Approximately 3% of ethnic Albanians are Roman Catholic Official language: Albanian, Serbian Other languages: Bosnian, Turkish, Roma Ethnic Groups: Albanians 92%, other (Serb, Bosniak, Gorani, Roma, Turk, Ashkali, Egyptian) 8% (2008) Life expectancy: 75 years (2003) Monetary unit: Euro (EUR, €)

Ethnic Serbs migrated to the territories of modern Kosovo in the 7th century but did not fully incorporate them into the Serbian realm until the early 13th century. During the medieval period, Kosovo became the center of a Serbian Empire and saw the construction of many important Serb religious sites, including many architecturally significant Serbian Orthodox monasteries. The defeat of Serbian forces at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 led to five centuries of Ottoman rule during which large numbers of Turks and Albanians moved to Kosovo. By the end of the 19th century, Albanians replaced the Serbs as the dominant ethnic group in Kosovo. Serbia reacquired control over Kosovo from the Ottoman Empire during the First Balkan War of 1912. Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia with status almost equivalent to that of a republic under the 1974 Constitution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Despite legislative concessions, Albanian nationalism increased in the 1980s, which led to riots and calls for Kosovo’s independence.

At the same time, Serb nationalist leaders, such as Slobodan Milosevic, exploited Kosovo Serb claims of maltreatment to secure votes from supporters, many of whom viewed Kosovo as their cultural heartland. Under Milosevic’s leadership, Serbia instituted a new constitution in 1989 that revoked Kosovo’s status as an autonomous province of Serbia.

Kosovo Albanian leaders responded in 1991 by organizing a referendum that declared Kosovo independent. Under Milosevic, Serbia carried out repressive measures against the Albanians in the early 1990s as the unofficial Kosovo government, led by Ibrahim Rugova, used passive resistance in an attempt to try to gain international assistance and recognition of an independent Kosovo. Albanians dissatisfied with Rugova’s passive strategy in the 1990s created the Kosovo Liberation Army and launched an insurgency. Starting in 1998, Serbian military, police, and paramilitary forces conducted a counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians. Approximately 800,000 Albanians were forced from their homes in Kosovo during this time. International attempts to mediate the conflict failed, and Milosevic’s rejection of a proposed settlement led to a three-month NATO military campaign against Serbia beginning in March 1999 that forced Serbia to agree to withdraw its military and police forces from Kosovo. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) placed Kosovo under a transitional administration, the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), pending a determination of Kosovo’s future status. A UN-led process began in late 2005 to determine Kosovo’s final status.

The negotiations ran in stages between 2006 and 2007, but ended without agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared Kosovo independent. Since then, over sixty countries have recognized Kosovo, including Estonia (from 21 February 2008), and it has joined the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo’s independence and it subsequently 3

COUNTRY FACT SHEET sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality under international law of Kosovo’s independence declaration. In July 2010 the ICJ ruled that Kosovo’s declaration of independence did not violate international law.

Kosovo is one of Europe’s poorest regions, with more than half of its people living in poverty. Although it possesses rich mineral resources, agriculture is the main economic activity.

Ethnic Albanians number about 2 million - about 90% of the population. Some 100,000 Serbs remain following a post-war exodus of non-Albanians. The Serbian minority live in separate areas watched over by NATO peacekeepers. International diplomats have voiced concern over slow progress on their rights.

1. Government On June 15, 2008, Kosovo’s constitution came into force. Under the constitution, the President of Kosovo is the head of state and serves a term of 5 years with the right to one re-election. The Prime Minister is the head of government and is elected by the Kosovo Assembly.

The unicameral Kosovo Assembly consists of 120 seats, 10 of which are reserved for ethnic Serbs, and 10 for other minorities (4 seats for the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities, 3 seats for the Bosniak community, 2 seats for the Turkish community, and 1 seat for the Gorani community). Three of the remaining 100 seats are also held by minority members (for a total of 13). All members serve 4-year terms.

2. International Disputes Serbia with several other states protests the recognition of Kosovo’s declaring itself as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008. Ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo’s northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary. Several thousand NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) peacekeepers under UNMIK authority continue to keep the peace within Kosovo between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serb minority in Kosovo. Kosovo and Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008.

II. RETURNING TO KOSOVO 1. Access to territory Based on the UNMIK Regulations and Administrative Instruction, the Department of Borders, Asylum and Refugees is established within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kosovo, and its mandate is to provide efficient border management as well as sustainable systems of repatriation. The Department conducts admission of refugees and asylumseekers and assists them in solving possible difficulties during the accommodation process and their integration into Kosovan society, and implements repatriation policy in accordance with the conventions, laws and standards determined by the European Union.

The Readmission Policy introduces the strategy and procedures in Kosovo for handling readmission of persons originating from Kosovo and residing without legal status in host countries. In principle, no person will be readmitted to Kosovo unless the person has been confirmed to originate from Kosovo.

UNMIK/PISG, Readmission Policy, November 2007, http://kosovoroma.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/readmission-policy_eng_281107.pdf

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET 2. Travel documents needed for returnees In order to travel to Kosovo, a returnee must possess a valid Kosovo passport or travel document issued by Kosovo’s authorities, or valid UNMIK Travel Document, or other documentation such as an emergency travel document (laissez-passer) issued by host country authorities.

Travel documents will be issued only after proper identification is confirmed in accordance with the readmission procedures, and such travel documents will be issued by the host countries or by the Embassies of the Republic of Kosovo. Currently Kosovo has established its embassies in the following European countries: Belgium, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

3. Documents needed in the country of return When a Kosovan citizen is returned to Kosovo and never has been registered in the civil registers book (basic register), he/she should go to the respective Municipal Centre for Civil Registration (MCCR) to proceed with registration. This will enable him/her to obtain other necessary documents needed i.e. Identification card (ID), birth certificate, marriage certificate, property documents, travel document, citizenship documents, etc.

4. Travel to Kosovo Kosovo territory can be accessed by land and by air. There are 3 official border crossing points between Republic of Kosovo and Republic of Albania; 2 traffic border crossing points and 3 temporary border crossing points for on-foot-passengers with Republic of Macedonia; 1 border crossing with Montenegro; and 5 crossings with Republic of Serbia. Kosovo has only one international airport based in Pristina. In addition, Kosovo can be accessed by train through 2 borders crossing points (1 from Serbia and 1 from Macedonia).

5. Impact of former acts and statuses upon entry In general terms, if a person returning to Kosovo was involved in criminal acts prior to leaving Kosovo and is subject to criminal proceedings, he/she will be treated in accordance to the legislation of Kosovo.

III. ECONOMIC SITUATION AND EMPLOYMENT 1. Economic overview Over the past few years Kosovo’s economy has shown significant progress in transitioning to a market-based system and maintaining macroeconomic stability, but it is still highly dependent on the international community and the diaspora for financial and technical assistance. Remittances from the diaspora - located mainly in Germany and Switzerland - are estimated to account for about 14% of GDP, and donor-financed activities and aid for another 7.5%. Kosovo’s citizens are the poorest in Europe with an average annual per capita income of only $2,500. Unemployment, around 40% of the population, is a significant problem that encourages outward migration and black market activity. Most of Kosovo’s population lives in rural towns outside of the capital, Pristina. Inefficient, near-subsistence farming is common - the result of small plots, limited mechanization, and lack of technical expertise. With international assistance, Kosovo has been able to privatize 50% of its state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by number, and over 90% of SOEs 5

COUNTRY FACT SHEET by value. Minerals and metals - including lignite, lead, zinc, nickel, chrome, aluminum, magnesium, and a wide variety of construction materials - once formed the backbone of industry, but output has declined because of ageing equipment and insufficient investment.

A limited and unreliable electricity supply due to technical and financial problems is a major impediment to economic development. Kosovo’s Ministry of Energy and Mining has solicited expressions of interest from private investors to develop a new power plant in order to address Kosovo and the region’s unmet and growing demands for power. The official currency of Kosovo is the euro, but the Serbian dinar is also used in Serb enclaves.

Kosovo’s tie to the euro has helped keep core inflation low. Kosovo has one of the most open economies in the region, and continues to work with the international community on measures to improve the business environment and attract foreign investment. Kosovo has kept the government budget in balance as a result of efficient value added tax (VAT) collection at the borders and inefficient budget execution. In order to help integrate Kosovo into regional economic structures, UNMIK signed (on behalf of Kosovo) its accession to the Central Europe Free Trade Area (CEFTA) in 2006. However, Serbia and Bosnia have refused to recognize Kosovo’s customs stamp or extend reduced tariff privileges for Kosovo products under CEFTA. In July 2008, Kosovo received pledges of $1.9 billion from 37 countries in support of its reform priorities. In June 2009, Kosovo joined the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and Kosovo began servicing its share of the former Yugoslavia’s debt.

2. Trade and Industry Kosovo has been laying the foundations of a market-oriented economy for the past 10 years but is still struggling to develop viable and productive domestic industries. Kosovo has one of the lowest export/import rates in the region. In 2009, Kosovo imported $2.3 billion in goods and services and exported only $238 million, resulting in a trade deficit of approximately 42% of Kosovo’s GDP. This deficit is largely financed through foreign assistance and remittances from Kosovo’s diaspora. Kosovo’s leading industries are mining, energy, and telecommunications.

3. Agriculture Agricultural land comprises 53% of Kosovo’s total land area and forests 41%. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization, 741,316 acres of land are under cultivation and 444,789 acres are upland pasture. The majority of agricultural land is privately owned (80%), providing subsistence farming for individual households. Although Kosovo’s agricultural sector is generally characterized by small farms, low productivity, and the absence of advisory services, agriculture contributes around 19% of Kosovo’s overall GDP. Agriculture is the largest employment sector in Kosovo, providing jobs for approximately 16.5% of the population, primarily on an informal basis. The agricultural sector also accounts for 16% of total export value and remains an important creator of national wealth, although Kosovo is still an importer of many agricultural products, which accounted for 24.4% of overall imports ($537.5 million) in 2007. Forestry in Kosovo is minimal; wood-processing and wood products (flooring and furniture) are industry contributors, although not yet in significant numbers.

4. Employment Opportunities The unemployment rate in Kosovo is between 39% and 43% of the economically active population. During 2008, the number of newly registered unemployed people was 0.4% higher than in 2007. 6.2% more available jobs were identified than in the previous year, whereas employment has dropped by 2.5% comparing to 2007. Employment in the public sector was 37% and in the private sector it was 63%.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET 5. Accessing the Labor Market A job seeker should apply to a municipal employment centre or the regional employment offices for registration as unemployed. She or he should provide: • a copy of his/her final educational diploma; • ID card.

Most jobs are in the tertiary sector (services, 67%), followed by secondary sector (production, 30%) and primary sector (agriculture, 3%). Average monthly salaries during 2007 stayed steady compared to 2006, at €236 per month.

The only assistance with finding work is provided through the network of Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) across Kosovo. The Labor Division is responsible for training different categories in the labor force, including: • • • • • •

unemployed people and registered job seekers; employees in danger of losing their jobs; employees who need more advanced vocational training, or continuous training; ethnic minority employees who have limited free movement; unemployed and unregistered women, who are willing to work; people with disabilities.

Available vocational training includes: accounting, arc and gas welding, hairdressing, auto-electricians, electrical installation, IT training, hydraulics, and soldering.

Training is available to all residents of Kosovo who are registered as unemployed at the Employment Offices of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW). Priority is given to people with poor qualifications.

6. The Employment Projects for Returnees There are several organizations in Kosovo which offer employment to returnees. IOM has some Assisted Voluntary Returns projects through which returnees can benefit from assistance in finding employment or self employment. There are also organizations such as Employment Promotion Agency Kosovo - APPK and German Federal Office of Migration and Refugees - BAMF. IV. BANKING SYSTEM AND BUSINESS SET-UP OPPORTUNITIES 1. The Banking System Commercial banks provide a full range of banking services, including loans, guarantees, current accounts, savings accounts, term deposits, domestic and international transfers, and safekeeping services. All the banks are supervised by the Central Banking Authority of Kosovo (CBAK). This authority, a successor to the Banking and Payments Authority of Kosovo (BPK), is an independent public body with the authority to license, supervise and regulate financial institutions in the territory of Kosovo.

It is possible to collect money transferred from abroad in most of the banks operating in Kosovo. Domestic money transfers are cleared through EICS-Interbank Clearing System, run by the Central Banking Authority of Kosovo. Charges for domestic payments made through other local banks are a flat €1 per transaction. Domestic payments handled by ProCredit Bank Kosovo are free and executable the same day. Being a member of the SWIFT network allows Raiffeisen Bank to execute international money transfers so quickly that the funds reach the beneficiary within a maximum of three business days, regardless of the country the funds are being sent to or from.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET 2. Micro Credit Loans for Business or Property ProCredit Bank (http://www.procreditbank-kos.com), which is well known for banking services for micro, small and medium enterprises, offers business loans to meet the financial needs of its clientele. Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo (http://www.raiffeisen-kosovo.com) offers loans to micro businesses with an annual turnover up to €1 million and to small businesses with an annual turnover of from €1 million to €5 million.

V. SOCIAL WELFARE The layout of the social welfare in Kosovo still recognizes the family as a base unit because of the limited budget. In order to benefit from social welfare all family members must be permanent residents of Kosovo. The layout is intended to financially help the families, whose members are either permanently disabled or over 65 years of age, and the families, whose members are not employed or only one member is working but the incomes are under the standard set forth by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.

Application for social support is done in the Social Center. There are 30 Centers that operate throughout Kosovo under the direct supervision of the Department of Social Welfare. Social support is provided in two categories based on the eligibility criteria: Category I is for families without resources where no family member is capable of working or is expected to make himself or herself available for work. The family must meet one of the following categories: • • • • • •

have members over 65 years of age who are unemployed; have dependent children under the age of 15; have dependent children enrolled in full-time education up to the age of 18, or the end of the school year in which they reach the age of 18; include an adult with a permanent disability who is incapable of working; be an unemployed single parent with children under the age of 10 and with no other adult living in the household; be a full-time caregiver for a person in the family who is over the age of 65 or who is permanently disabled.

The family must not own more than half a hectare (0.5 ha) of land.

Category II is for families without resources, where a family member is capable of working and must make him or herself available to do so, and for families without resources who do not receive financial support from any family members/relatives working in or outside of Kosovo. The criteria are: • • • • • • • 8

no one in the family receives payment in exchange for work (the family is not eligible if any member is self-employed or is engaged in casual work during the month preceding the application); every member of the family who is capable of working has registered and obtained a certificate from the Employment Office certifying he or she is capable and seeking work; the family must be without resources or income; the family must not own more than half a hectare (0.5 ha) of land; there must be at least one child under the age of five or the family has to be in full time care of an orphan; the family does not own a motorized vehicle (including a tractor or car); All family members in the same house must be included in the application in order to

COUNTRY FACT SHEET establish the eligibility of the family (It is the eligibility of the family, which is assessed, not the individual).

If any of the family members is an adult (18-65 years old) and able to work, the family is not eligible for Category I assistance, even if other members meet the criteria. These families have to apply on Category II. The amount received varies from €34 to €62 per month, depending on the number of family members.

In order to receive social assistance, a person must apply at the nearest Social Centre providing proof or identification documents related to the assistance requested. The social assistance scheme applies to permanent residents of Kosovo.

VI. PENSIONS A new pension system of providing a base pension was organized because the pension insurance paid to the Yugoslav central institutions was not returned to the citizens of Kosovo. The base pension is one of the mandatory forms of pension and it is given to every permanent citizen of Kosovo over 65 years of age. Like the social assistance, the base pension is given from the overall budget of Kosovo. Apart from war pensions, there are four pension schemes in place.

• • • •

The Basic Pension for all Kosovo citizens over 65 years of age.

The Disability Pension for people with a proved disability of any age.

The pension for those who worked for the Trepça mining combine. This is for employees of the mine who retired before the usual retirement age, in recognition of their hard work, and because of the need for younger workers.

The Basic Pension for Contributors is for pensioners who have had at least 15 years of work experience and have paid monthly contributions for their pension insurance.

It has a higher rate than the Basic Pension. It covers people who were working in exYugoslavia before 1999.

Applicants for a basic pension should apply to the regional pension offices in their place of residence. They need to meet the following criteria: • • •

the applicant should be a resident of Kosovo; he or she should have an Kosovo ID; the applicant should be 65 years or older.

Besides mandatory pension, the employer and persons may voluntarily save in other layouts of pension insurance. Individuals and employers may save in the layouts licensed and monitored by the Central Bank of Kosovo.

Kosovo has no agreements with foreign countries for payment of foreign pensions.

VII. MEDICAL CARE 1. The Health System The Kosovo Ministry of Health (MoH), established in February 2002, is responsible for monitoring, supervising and supporting the health care system in general. More particularly, MoH is responsible for policy development, strategic planning, licensing all health institutions, whether private or public, and quality assurance of all medical devices and services, as well as budgeting.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET The health care system in Kosovo is organized on three levels: 1. Primary health care (PHC) is organized through Main Family Medicine Centers, which operate in more than 30 municipalities across Kosovo with very limited diagnostic capacity. Family Medicine Centers and health service ambulances offer the basic primary care services. They are located mostly in the suburbs of cities or in villages. Many do not have permanent physicians. Out of the 308 registered ambulances, only about 200 are operational.

2. Secondary health care services are provided by six regional hospitals located in the main cities of Kosovo. All the hospitals are operational but the capacity of their laboratories and X-ray departments is limited. Regional hospitals have 450-550 beds each.

3. Tertiary health care includes the University Clinical Center (UCC) in the capital city, Prishtinë/Priština. It has 2,500 beds.

2. Registering with a Health Insurance Company Few insurance companies in Kosovo provide health insurance. Registering with these companies is voluntary. They offer entitlement to the full range of ambulance and hospital services in Kosovo, in the region, and in Europe, depending on the scope of the policy.

Health Insurance can be obtained for a minimum of one year with the possibility of extension.

3. Medical Treatment Health care services are provided free of charge by the public health institutions for specific groups of people that including the following: • • • • • • • •

Children (under 15 years of age); Pupils and students until the end of regular education; Citizens over 65 years of age; Citizens of Kosovo, and their close family, who have the status of martyrs, are war invalids or have been disabled from other causes; Beneficiaries of the social assistance scheme and their close family members; Disabled people and people with disabilities and illnesses which have been identified by the Ministry of Health, such as paraplegic, triplegic, and quadriplegic patients; as well as blind, deaf and deaf-mute people; Patients with severe chronic diseases: diabetes mellitus type 1 (insulin dependant patients); patients on dialysis; chronic psychosis like schizophrenia or bipolar disorders; severe mental retardations; tuberculosis; malign disease; HIV/AIDS; People requiring mandatory immunization.

Kosovo’s health care system is currently unable to provide adequate care for the following areas of treatment: • • • •

cancer requiring radiotherapy or chemotherapy; any heart requiring surgery, including inserting pacemakers; eye surgery; severe or chronic mental illness – there is no psychiatric institution with a locked ward in Kosovo.

Essential medicines are available free of charge in every public health care centre. In addition, private pharmacies in Kosovo are very well furnished with a huge variety of medicines. Drugs which are not available in Kosovo can be imported from pharmacies.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET VIII. EDUCATION 1. The Education System Education in Kosovo is carried out at both public and private institutions. From 1999, education in Kosovo has been reformed at all levels: from pre-school education up to university level. These reforms aimed at bringing education in Kosovo into line with contemporary European and global standards. As a first step, a Department of Education and Science (DES) was established. This was followed by the creation of a legal and professional infrastructure and the establishment of DES’ successor, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) in March 2002. At this time, the private education system began to develop.

2. Access to the Different Levels of Education Compulsory education begins when a child reaches six years of age and continues to 11 years of age (classes 6-11). By law, education in the publicly funded educational institutions is free. The law guarantees equal access to an education to all communities in Kosovo. Education in primary schools in Kosovo is conducted in five languages: Albanian, Serbian, Bosnian, Turkish, and Croatian. Compulsory secondary education is the second phase of a child’s education. It covers ages 12 to 15 (classes 6-9).

High School lasts for three to four years and follows the educational curricula designed by the MEST. It covers 16-18 years of age and classes 10 to 12, or 13. All students are entitled to continue to this level on a voluntary basis, pursuing either a general or professional education (but there are plans for it to be mandatory). The main goal of high schools, which includes professional schools, is to prepare students for the labor market but they also offer opportunities for applying for higher post-secondary or university studies.

Standards of higher education in Kosovo are based on a European model. Higher education can be undertaken in universities and institutions of higher professional education. These institutions may be in the public or private sector. They offer studies to Bachelor, Master and PhD level. Students may choose full-time or part-time studies.

A Higher Education Department (HED) was established under the MEST. Its primary duties are to plan and oversee the development of the higher education system. The MEST established the Kosovo Accreditation Agency (KAA) to assess the quality of the public and private institutions of higher education. Through a process of accreditation, this agency guarantees the quality of educational and scientific work in these institutions, and supports their development.

The University of Prishtina (UP) is the only public university in Kosovo. Today, the UP has 17 faculties. The UP is a full member of the Association of European Universities. The UP provides accommodation for students in Student Centers in Pristina for a monthly fee.

Teaching is carried out over two terms: winter and summer. Successful students receive a diploma in the field which they studied: Bachelor, Masters or PhD. Private institutions of higher education make their own decisions about criteria for admitting students, procedures, fees and the process of application. People who wish to register with these private higher education institutions should consult the KAA for more information about their accreditation.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET 2. Foreign Diplomas HED also undertakes the recognition of documents obtained from overseas studies and verifies the documentation of Kosovans who wish to study abroad.

3. Vocational Training Courses Vocational higher secondary education (high school), as part of pre-university education, is organized on three levels. The first level covers grades 10 and 11 and offers a basic qualification. It enables a person to take employment in the labor market as a semiqualified worker. The second level is a continuation of the first level and includes grade 12. It offers employment prospects. He or she may obtain the vocational “Matura” which opens the way to university. Alternatively, they may sit the third level of qualification in vocational education, which offers a still better chance of employment and opens the doors to a fourth level leading to qualification as a technician.

Adult education and training is an integral part of the education system in Kosovo and is offered in both public and private institutions. Participation in adult education has become important in Kosovo. Adult education covers all public and private learning and training offered to adults or eligible young people over 15 years of age.

Public institutions for adult education and training are established by the MEST in cooperation with other ministries. They can be set up can as public institutions or they can function within schools and organizations for adult education and training that are registered and licensed in accordance with the law. Private institutions for adult education and training are also licensed by the MEST. Students who are unable to afford their studies should apply for help at the assistance office in UP. UP staff are exempt from administrative fees. The following categories of student at the UP are entitled to the exemption from payment during the academic year 2008-09: • • • •

students whose families receive social care; students who are war invalids (either military or civil); students who were left without a parent as a result of war (during the period from 1/1/1998 until 12/6/1999); students with physical disabilities.

The Distinguished Student Scholarship is an award the UP gives each year to the most distinguished students during the academic year (please check for criteria on the web site).

4. Scholarships for Studying Abroad Kosovo citizens can study in some European schools thanks to the Erasmus programmes.

Students participating in this project are granted a full scholarship, which is financed by the European Union. The UP has recently become a partner in the project, cooperating with other European Universities. For the first time, an exchange of students has become possible. Anyone interested in applying for these programmes should contact the Office for Foreign Relations (OFR) or the rector of the UP. IX. HOUSING Housing in Kosovo is, at present, in both private and public ownership. Many apartments in social ownership were sold to their occupants during the 1990s. After the war, due to budget constraints, the government has not been in a position to build apartments.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET Instead, it gave land to the construction companies in return for apartments being built.

Nonetheless, housing remains an issue as the devastation of the war was very heavy.

There are still unresolved issues concerning the property of displaced people. These disputes are handled by the Kosovo Property Agency (KPA), which has its offices all over Kosovo. The disputed property in question is, in consultation with the owners, let out.

Apartments can be found through estate agencies throughout the country or through one’s own research. The rent for an apartment or house varies mostly by size and location.

Following are some approximate rents for apartments or houses in Prishtinë/Priština: • studio/flat: 150-200 EUR per month; • one bedroom apartment: 200-250 EUR per month; • two bedroom apartment: 250-350 EUR per month; • three bedroom apartment: 300-500 EUR per month.

Rents in other cities in Kosovo (e.g., Pejë/Peć, Mitrovicë/a, Ferizaj/Uroševac) are approximately €50.00 cheaper than in Pristina.

There are several estate agencies in Kosovo dealing with property transactions. Sellers place details of their properties with these agencies or with newspapers.

No social grants for housing are available.

X. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS The Customs Service in Kosovo is young and ambitious. Like other Western Balkan customs services, it has already made significant progress to align itself with EU standards.

People returning to Kosovo need to be present for customs clearance. They will need to pay duty on goods they bring into the country. The customs clearance process takes two days. Documents needed to import goods are: • a copy of the packing list; • a copy of the air or shipment waybill; • Pro-forma invoice listing the value of the goods; Anyone entering or leaving Kosovo with financial means over €10.000 must declare it, and the source of the money, in writing in the presence of the authorized customs employee.

The individual must present the money if requested by the employee. A customs employee will consider that an individual carries the money on him if it is in his physical possession or in a motor vehicle which is being used by him.

XI. TRANSPORTATION Public transport in Kosovo is organized through a network of bus routes that connect the major towns in Kosovo. The headquarters is in Prishtinë/Priština and all scheduling of passenger transport is done through it. Private bus companies are included in this timetable. A one way ticket from Prishtinë/Priština to Gjilan/Gnjilane, or from Prishtinë/ Priština to Mitrovicë/a, would cost up to €2.00, whilst from Prishtinë/Priština to Prizren or Pejë/Peć (a longer distance) the price could be up to €4.00.

Kosovo Railways (KR) also offers a daily internal train service. The timetable and prices are as follows: •

the fast train operates every day on the Peja – Prishtinë/Priština – Peja line (price €3.00) 13

COUNTRY FACT SHEET • •

the local train operates every day on the Peja – Prishtinë/Priština – Peja line (price €3.00) the Freedom of Movement train (FoM) operates every day on the Hani i Elezit - Fushë Kosovë line (price €2.50)

There are a number of discounts available on proof of eligibility: • 20% discount for return tickets: • 50% discount for passengers under the age of 12 or over 65 years of age, students and schoolchildren; • Children under the age of four do not need to pay a fare.

Passenger can purchase travel tickets at the cashier in stations or on the train.

XII. TELECOMMUNICATION 1. Post The Post and Telecommunications of Kosovo (PTK) is nearly fifty years old. During the war, PTK suffered considerable losses and damage. After the war, negotiating teams of the PTK, KFOR and UNMIK enabled the return of employees to their workplaces. At that time, postal and telephone services had broken down.

After six years of effort, PTK has established the following three business units: Post of Kosovo, Telecom of Kosovo, and the Vala mobile network operator. These three business units of the PTK are licensed by the Kosovo Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.

On 29 June 2005, PTK was transformed into a joint stock company under the new name of PTK J.S.C. 2. Phones Telecom of Kosovo is the sole licensed public operator and the first choice provider of fixed network services in the territory of Kosovo. Telecom of Kosovo provides fixed network services to residential and business enterprises at flat rates. The company has installed around 575 payphones throughout Kosovo, in order to provide services to its customers.

IPKO, a private company, has also established a range of telephony services.

3. Internet Telecom of Kosovo is the sole public operator licensed to provide Internet services.

Telecom of Kosovo provides Internet services such as: ADSL, Dial UP, VPN, xDSL (HDSL, SDSL, and SHDSL). Kujtesa is another very reliable company which provides a different range of Internet products.

IPKO is Kosovo’s foremost information technology and communications company.

Established in 1999, IPKO has grown from being the first Kosovo-wide Internet provider, to offering a full range of integrated services as well as content across mobile communications, fixed Internet services.

4. Mobile Phones The license for the first public mobile network was granted to Vala by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. IPKO was the second licensed mobile operator in Kosovo.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET XIII. VULNERABLE GROUPS Financial support is provided to all citizens of Kosovo with permanent disabilities. However, social assistance goes to the family members that take care of people with permanent disabilities. Support is also given to the families of adults with permanent disabilities. An application for assistance should be made to the Centre for Social Work of the respective municipality (see above under Social Assistance). In addition, all citizens of Kosovo, who were injured as a direct consequence of the armed conflict in Kosovo, are entitled to special assistance and benefits. War invalids are accepted as former Kosovo Liberation Army members but help is also available to civilians who were wounded or injured during the conflict.

Some number of groups of people receive free health care services, for example, citizens over 65 years, war invalids and disabled people.

1. Psycho-social support The rehabilitation of the mental health system is one of the priorities of the MoH. However, the system faces many challenges. The number of mental health professionals is very limited and the present educational system for mental health is underdeveloped. Existing institutions also have limited access modern know-how in psychiatry.

This sector suffers also from the destruction of medical equipment during and since the conflict in 1999. Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which became a matter of the greatest importance after the wars in Yugoslavia and the turmoils in Kosovo in March 2004, is in desperate need of improvement. Some calculations suggest that 140,000 to 200,000 people (an estimated 7-10% of the population) are suffering from PTSD. The mental health care system in Kosovo simply does not have sufficient resources of people or facilities to respond to the need for treatment for mental health disorders.

However, with international support, new facilities, called “Houses of Integration”, have been opened in Gjakovë/Djakovica, Gjilan/Gnjilane, Prizren, Mitrovicë/a and Drenas/ Gllogovac. These facilities offer protected apartments for people with minor mental health problems, as well as therapeutic and psycho-social support. In 2006 the new Intensive Care Psychiatric Unit (ICPU) of the UCC in Pristina became operational. This facility is intended to offer psychiatric treatment to people with severe mental health problems. The Swiss Red Cross and the Psychiatric University of Basel (Switzerland) will provide training support to the ICPU. 2. Housing (Including Shelters for Victims of Trafficking) At present, there are no institutions or facilities that provide housing assistance to vulnerable people, such as single mothers, minors and orphans. In Kosovo, they are placed in some of the existing overcrowded temporary community shelters, which do not provide an adequate and stable housing solution. The Ministry of Spatial Planning has ongoing projects to construct houses for social need cases throughout Kosovo, but completion is not anticipated soon. The “Elderly Home” provides shelter for elderly people in Pristina. The house has a maximum capacity of 130 people. An old people’s home has recently been opened in Skënderaj/Srbica as well. This home can take a maximum of 25 people. The people presently in this centre are from the region of Skënderaj/Srbica and have been transferred from the old people’s home in Prishtinë/Priština.

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET Applicants must meet the following criteria to be given a place at a home for the elderly: • be a minimum of 65 years old; • have proof of living alone (verified by a special team from the Centre for Social Work and Welfare who will visit); • have a birth certificate; • allow a pension check (ie., proof that the applicant is receiving the pension allowance) since the pension will be used to cover the costs of care, if the applicant is admitted; • have a doctor’s certificate declaring that the person does not have a contagious disease and is not mentally handicapped (if a check-up cannot be done at the medical centre a doctor will carry it out at the old people’s home, “Nëna Tereze”, in Prishtinë/ Priština; • submit an application form; • provide proof of economic circumstances (proved by the land registry (cadastre) office, which can provide evidence whether the applicant owns property); 3. Education Children who are not able to have a normal education have a legal right to a special education in Kosovo. There are a total of seven schools for special education and 64 associated classes. The classes are held in regular schools.

XIV. USEFUL LINKS IOM Pristina www.iomkosovo.org/ IRRiCo www.iom.int/irrico Carritas International www.reintegrationcaritas.be UNMIK – Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo http://www.unmikonline.org International Civilian Office http://www.ico-kos.org CRI landendinfo - Kosovo http://www.vluchtelingenwerk.be/landeninfo/country-sheets.php CIA the World Factbook Employment Promotion Agency Kosovo, www.appk.org German Federal Office of Migration and Refugees www.bamf.de Republic of Kosovo www.rks-gov.net Kosovo Property Agency (KPA) www.kpaonline.org Real Estate Agency http://www.immobilia-kosova.com Weekly advertisment magazine www.ofertasuksesi.com Kosovo Railway http://www.kosovorailway.com/ Pristina International Airport http://www.airportpristina.com Ministry of Internal Affairs 16

COUNTRY FACT SHEET www.mpb-ks.org Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.mfa-ks.net Ministry of Education, Science and Technology http://www.masht-gov.net World Bank www.worldbank.org/kosovo ProCredit Bank http://www.procreditbank-kos.com Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo http://www.raiffeisen-kosovo.com

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COUNTRY FACT SHEET

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