Last month the negotiations between Kosovo and the EU for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) were opened. This marked a major step forward for Kosovo in the pre-accession process and it will bring the newly independent country closer to the EU. Only by reaching the landmark ‘First agreement of principles governing the normalisation of relations’ with Serbia including an implementation plan, Kosovo was able to take the next step. EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs was actively involved in the political dialogue between the two countries. Both Serbia and Kosovo have agreed that neither side will block progress on their respective EU paths. For Kosovo it brings hope for a better future.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"3432","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"360","style":"width: 240px; height: 180px; float: left;","width":"480"}}]]In order to increase knowledge, skills and share experiences in view of the coming SAA negotiations, two Clingendael trainers, Suzanne Nollen and Tony Bass, gave a training on EU advocacy and decision making procedures.  The training took place on 9 and 10 December for a group of some 18 participants coming from different ministries. This training is part of a  longer term cooperation  agreement between Clingendael Academy and the Diplomatic Academy of Kosovo. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between both Academies earlier this year. Clingendael Academy also acts to support the founding of the Diplomatic Academy of Kosovo through strategic consultancy on its institutional development as well as capacity building on the development of diplomatic training programmes.