Security Research Forum Belgrade-Prishtina-Tirana

Who are we?

Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP), Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS) and Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) are three independent think tanks from Belgrade,Pristina and Tirana specialized in research of security issues.

 

We share a concern for human security and democratization, and believe that competent involvement of civil society in security politics can make security governance more representative, transparent, democratic and effective.

 

Prior to this initiative, we have been cooperating since 2009 on a regional research on progress of security sector reform (SSR) and a transformation of region from a conflict zone into a security community.  Apart from that, the three organizations have a proven record in dealing with wide variety of topics such as territorial and border demarcation disputes in the region, confidence building, reconciliation and network building among security professionals and young people.

 

This project aimed to achieve enhanced understanding of bilateral and trilateral security issues by establishing various links among security policy communities and increasing transparency in security governance. For that purpose, three participating think tanks had a peer-to-peer exchange of practices, positive and negative lessons learned, and worked with national security communities in Belgrade-Pristina-Tirana.

 

The problems addressed

There is security dilemma in the region reinforced by lack of transparency in security governance, mutual fear and mistrust and by lack of credible information and unbiased sources on developments in security communities in respective countries. This is to a great extent caused by a deficient communication between Belgrade, Pristina and Tirana, even within civil society and academia resulting in lack of knowledge on other communities (especially security communities) as well as persistence of ingrained stereotypes and misconceptions. The inadequate level of transparency impedes national oversight of the sector (including that by the civil society) as well as the confidence building necessary for regional security cooperation. The current prevailing issues do not only contribute to security dilemma in the region, but they also impede democratization and reform processes in three societies, by diverting attention from domestic (social, economic and political) issues.

 

Project activities and achievements

The goals of this project were achieved through research, networking and advocacy activities and capacity-building activities of the participating organisations.

 

Research on key topics of common interest related to threat perceptions, gaps in security governance and accountability caused by lack of cooperation, as well as other relevant sources that aim to increase understanding of political dynamics and security transformation of ‘the other’ was conducted. The research products that are credible and fact-based sources of information filled the gap in the state of knowledge on these issues. A diverse number of social science methods were  used to gather and analyse data.

 

• The Citizens on the Serbian-Albanian Relations and the Regional Security Cooperation
• Police Integration In North Kosovo: Progress And Remaining Challenges In Implementation Of The Brussels Agreement
• Albanian Minority Representation at the Serbian Ministry of Interior: Progress and Remaining Challenges
• Police Cooperation Between Kosovo and Serbia
• Towards More Effective Police Cooperation Between Serbia and Kosovo
• The Future of Civil Protection in North Kosovo
• Perceptions of Personal Safety and Perceptions of Security Threats at the Local Level: A Comparative Overview of Serbia, Kosovo and Albania
• Integrated Border Management, Best Practices and Applicability – The Case of Kosovo and Albania
• Serbia – NATO Defence Cooperation

 

Networking and Advocacy efforts cornerstones were nine meetings of Security Research Forum, three held in each capital. The aim was to discuss research findings with the members of security communities within each country. Forums were organized under 'Chatham House' rules, thus providing 'safe' space for open discussion among security professionals, policy-makers and scholars, ultimately setting conditions for establishing bilateral and trilateral security cooperation. In the Security Research Forum meetings we represented only our own personal views and in no way spoke on behalf of whole organisations, respective governments or any other interest groups. The support provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway is not affecting the outcome of research findings or advocacy initiatives.

 

1. The first Security Research Forum opened the debate on the security dilemmas in the Western Balkans
2. Brussels agreement allows Serbia and Kosovo to get out of war state of mind
3. Most citizens believe that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina should be continued
4. For a successful dialogue in the triangle Belgrade-Pristina-Tirana is crucial to change the opinions of citizens
5. Integration of Serbs in the Kosovo Police requires further investment
6. Better relations between Belgrade, Pristina and Tirana are necessary for regional stability
7. Better security cooperation is crucial for improvement of Serbian-Albanian relations
8. Civil Protection causes conflicting perceptions of Serbian and Albanian communities
9. Improvement of Serbian-Albanian relations contributes to the stability of the Western Balkans

 

The second activity was the Summer School, targeting prospective members of security communities from all three countries. Participants were taught on various regional security issues, related to trust and cooperation building and security policy-making. The Summer School enabled the development of connections among future decision-makers, scholars and civil society activists.

 

• Dialogue and mutual respect will lead to conflict resolution and better relations in the region
• Through Joint Analysis of Security Threats towards Progress in the Serbian-Albanian Relations

 

National events brought together members of national security community to present them with the latest research findings and encourage them to share their views on these findings, thus establishing closer links between research and policy-making.

 

• Prejudices separate and EU integration connect Belgrade, Pristina and Tirana
• Lessons for Serbia from the Study on ISIS Fighters from Kosovo
• Kosovo Citizens’ Involvement as Foreign Fighters in Syria and Iraq – Causes and Consequences
• KSF is the most trusted security force in Kosovo
• Police cooperation leads to better relations between Serbia, Kosovo and Albania
• The status of Civil Protection and Police members in northern Kosovo should be solved

 

Capacity-building of participating organisations included three joint trainings in relevant research skills and exchange of researchers among participating organizations (three researchers per year). The exchange enabled researchers to work more closely with their peers from partner organisations, so that part of the research is carried out jointly and knowledge and practices are exchanged.

• BCSP researchers on the exchange in Pristina
• BCSP in Pristina
• New BCSP guest researcher is interested in Serbia and NATO relations
• New guest researchers in the BCSP