Unemployment and uncertain security and political situation are the main reasons behind the decisions of young Serbs to leave Kosovo, concluded a research presented by Network for Civic Activism, Radio KIM reports.
During the debate, Branimir Stojanovic, former Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and current State Secretary in the Serbian Ministry of Economy said the highest responsibility for this is on the Albanian political leadership, while Momcilo Trajkovic former politician and a member of the Serbian National Forum said that talks on delineation are detrimental for the remain of Serbs south of the Ibar River.
The representatives of the Network for Civic Activism noted that the topic of migration is not very much present in the public discussions. While presenting the report they underlined that the highest number of students (from central Kosovo), regardless if they study in Mitrovica North or in cities in central Serbia, do not plan to continue their lives in Gracanica or in surrounding areas, which is a devastating fact.
“Young people said the reasons for such decisions are uncertain political situation, poor security, but as the most important reason they emphasized that they cannot get a job here,” Ivan Todorovic said.
“Security is a very important factor. Everybody wishes to feel safe. It would definitely give more energy to the young people to invest stronger efforts in creating a new and better society in some more safe areas rather than in tense areas such as Kosovo is,” Petar Djordjevic from Gracanica said.
“There can be future for young people, if they are seriously committed to the education, if they strongly believe that something here can change, but what is concerning is that these young people come to the terms with a fact they cannot change anything here too easy and then they seek a way out,” Ivan Nikolic from Gracanica added.
Branimir Stojanovic, State Secretary in the Serbian Ministry of Economy considers the highest responsibility over the Serbs’ departure from Kosovo is on the Albanian political elite. Stojanovic opined that recent events, such as the arrest of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director, Marko Djuric and use of force against Serb political representatives in Kosovo institutions contributed to the departure of young people.
However, KIM Radio noted the figure on how many young Serbs have left Kosovo over these events is unknown.
Asked if representatives of the Serbian political elite bear responsibility for the departure of young Serbs and how frequent messages on delineation could affect the young population, Stojanovic responded he could not assess what consequences might be, but certainly there are not many, if any good, solutions on the table. He underlined he belongs to those thinking that technical matters should be discussed in the dialogue, to implement what has been agreed in Brussels, establish Community of Serb Municipalities and try to normalize the life to the extent possible.
Momcilo Trajkovic from Serbian National Forum said that talks on delineation are detrimental for the Serbs south of the Ibar River.
“These are irresponsible statements, that are detrimental and that is why I say it openly – we should oppose the delineation. None of us should support it. That is not a solution. And we should oppose the politics that offer delineation, since this delineation would finally cleanse off Serb population south of the Ibar River,” Trajkovic underlined.
Representatives of Gracanica municipality said the biggest migration waves took place in 1999 and 2004, however migration is also present today. Gracanica Deputy Mayor, Sasa Dinic said the municipality is doing its utmost to keep the population stay.
Although secondary schools’ pupils and students leave central Kosovo, the situation in primary schools in Gracanica municipality is slightly different.
Director of Primary School “Miladin Mitic” Ljubisa Karadzic said the situation in Laplje Selo and Gracanica is better than in other villages in the municipality.
“The number of pupils in these schools is increasing. I refer to the primary schools “Kralj Milutin”, “Knez Lazar”, and “Miladin Mitic,” in Laplje Selo. However, this not the case in Preoce and Caglavica. Primary schools in Lepina, Ugljare and “Braca Aleksic” in Lipljan show declining tendency when it comes to the number of pupils,” Karadzic said.
