'Europe in Question' Public Lecture Series

Kosovar Economy and EU: How far is it?

Mr. Kaloyan Simeonov, PhD

20 January 2010, 15.00 CET

Universum Instite Campus, Ferizaj

The EU perspective is one of the main priorities for the whole Kosovo society. The final goal is the membership in the European Union. In order for Kosovo to become a member of the EU, it shall integrate its economy to the EU economy and shall fulfill accession criteria and EU standards. The country shall fulfill the following economic criteria before finalisation of EU accession talks: the establishment of a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the EU. Kosovo shall also adopt and implement all EU standards including those related to the Internal Market and Common Policies of the EU. The public lecture will provide information on the main achievements and challenges for Kosovo in relation to economic integration in the EU.

Mr. Kaloyan Simeonov, PhD, is currently an EU mid term TAIEX expert to support the European Integration Committee at the Assembly of Kosovo and a Visiting Lecturer in Universum Institute for Economic and Social Studies. He has twelve years of professional experience in Bulgaria and the European institutions in the area of European affairs. He started his career in the Ministry of Finance and currently he is a Senior expert at the Department “Coordination of EU affairs” at the Prime Minister Office of Bulgaria. Mr. Simeonov teach EU affairs from eight years with experience in different universities in Bulgaria, including Sofia University, University of National and World Economy, the Center for European Programmes at the American University in Blagoevgrad. He has provided lectures and participated in projects related to the Western Balkans region and he has 50 publications on different issues related to the EU.