Reporting Kosovo.
A message to media editors. What would you like to know?
I’m visiting Kosovo again in early February. The country goes to the polls for a general election on the 9th February, but aside from the election, there are many other stories of interest from Europe’s youngest country.
I can report from Kosovo while I am there, and remotely with my contacts there. Here are some ideas. You may have more?
Culture and Leisure:
Ski season.
I might get a day on the slopes in. I can report on one of the main resorts, prices, quality, ease of travel, après ski options.
Cinema.
Just off the top of my head I can think of two directors who are making films in Kosovo and getting international recognition for them. The country is trying hard to attract film making, with some success.
Coding, tech and IT.
Kosovo has a highly educated and talented young population and is rapidly developing its tech sector. The combination of low cost of living, high quality of life, the weather and countryside (and some tax breaks) is attracting tech industries and entrepreneurs from abroad.
Pristina now has a “gay bar”.
The first in the country, in the capital Pristina. How is it doing? Is it facing any opposition? What are the prospects for legalising same-sex marriage in Kosovo?
Cracking Cheeeese!
A new artisan cheese shop has opened in Pristina selling speciality cheese from France, Italy and across the continent. I will be visiting during my trip. How are they doing? Is there a big enough market in Kosovo for high quality, more expensive speciality cheese?
Wine and Beer.
Yes, Kosovo is a majority muslim country, but most people do drink alcohol. There’s the Peja brewery producing the nations favourite beer, and a growing wine industry which produces some excellent wines, particularly reds. I could visit one of the producers and report back?
And, the politics:
The general election is on February 9th.
The election will decide which party or parties are in government for the next four years. Kosovo is facing many challenges, both domestic and international. The parties contesting the election have a range of views and policies on how to address these.
I’ll be reporting on the campaign, and then the results, who will be in power afterwards, and what will this mean for the country and the region?
The Second Trump Presidency.
International relations in the region are complicated. The European Union, Nato, the UK and the USA are all involved and have influence on how things will develop in the future.
How will the Trump presidency and its attitudes to the region change things on the ground?
The election takes place three weeks after the inauguration of President Trump. He made a number of statements and pledges during the campaign and since the election. We will see which of these are proposed to be implemented, and how. All of the Western Balkans will be watching with interest.
Relations with Serbia.
Serbia is closely aligned with Russia. Russia has alliances with China, Syria, Iran and many others. Things are happening fast across the middle east,with the conflict in Ukraine and elsewhere. All of this will have knock-on effects on Kosovo and the wider Western Balkan region. How exactly, and when; are the big questions which I can look at and offer possible answers and scenarios.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this further:
davewardhome@hotmail.co.uk