Kosovo observer member of "Traduk", full membership hostage to politics

What the Library has been trying to do since December 2024 and which culminated in October last year with an application for regular membership, has not happened. A month later, at the regular meeting of the network, Kosovo's membership was put to a vote. The result: Romania's abstention and Serbia's opposition, which carried more weight than the "Yes" votes of ten other countries. "The main issue is that Serbia has consistently opposed Kosovo's membership. It has obstructed and consistently opposed it. This is also the reason why it was chosen this way. In order not to cause political problems, they proposed an initially observer membership until another step. Serbia opposed it, Romania abstained," said the general director of the National Library of Kosovo, Blerina Rogova-Gaxha.

Kosovo's membership in the European literary network "Traduki" is undoubtedly an important moment and step for the institution. This membership of Kosovo - with the representation of the National Library - as an observer member instead of full membership is a clear example of how culture continues to remain hostage to politics. In the German-based network that aims to connect literary cultures, Kosovo is now singled out with restrictions to participate by observing, but not to become part of the decision-making. 

What the Library has been trying to do since December 2024, culminating in October last year with an application for full membership, has not happened. A month later, at the regular meeting of the network, Kosovo's membership was put to a vote. The result: Romania's abstention and Serbia's opposition, which outweighed the "yes" votes of ten other countries. 

"The main issue is that Serbia has consistently opposed Kosovo's membership. It has obstructed and consistently opposed it. This is also the reason why it was chosen this way. In order not to cause political problems, they proposed an initially observer membership until another step. Serbia opposed it, Romania abstained," said the general director of the National Library of Kosovo, Blerina Rogova-Gaxha.  

This network also includes Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Albania, Croatia, North Macedonia and Montenegro. Thus, the KCB has been forced to tread on terrain undermined by diplomatic calculations and silent vetoes. It has attempted to change its fate by not announcing its membership as an observer member until the decision was made in meetings between the leaders of the “Traduki” network with the Minister of Culture, Saranda Bogujevci and the Director General of the National Library of Kosovo, Blerina Rogova-Gaxha. 

"We have known since November that we have joined, but we have been asked to be discreet in our public reporting," said the Library director, making clear the institutional disappointment and absurdity of the situation. 

"At the November meeting – since 'Traduki' holds two annual meetings: one in the spring and one in the fall – Kosovo's membership was voted on. We have received the information since then. But what was voted on at this meeting was not to our liking because we joined as an observer member. The Library and the Ministry were not satisfied with what they offered us. We lobbied and held meetings to be accepted as full members, but this was offered to us as a transitional phase from membership as an observer member to regular members with full rights later on," she explained in an interview with KOHĪN.

This status of Kosovo in "Traduki" seems to be the product of political pressure that continues to dictate the pace of Kosovo's involvement in international mechanisms. Rogova-Gaxha has also emphasized this. 
"The Brussels agreement states that Kosovo and Serbia do not prevent each other from joining international organizations, but they are violating their promises and oaths," she said. 

Point 4 of the Brussels Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia states that "Serbia will not oppose Kosovo's membership in any international organization." 

Previously, at the Leipzig Fair, meetings were held with representatives of "Traduk". The director of the BKK was part of a panel organized by this network where they talked about national libraries under the political crossroads. Rogova-Gaxha has announced that these meetings have contributed to putting an end to this work. (Today) Monday, the first meeting will be held in which Kosovo participates. An agreement was reached in Leipzig for the network's spring meeting, one of the two annual meetings, which is being held this time in Sarajevo. 
The European Literary Network “Traduki” is an international platform “aiming to connect the literary cultures of Europe, with a particular focus on cooperation between Southeastern European and German-speaking countries.” It was founded in 2008, with the support of institutions such as the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as cultural foundations and ministries of culture from various European countries. 

Participation there comes as a regular member and as a collaborating or observer member/partner. The former contribute financially and participate in decision-making, while the latter participate in projects, but with a more limited role. 

Thus, Kosovo participates with projects and activities, but not in annual planning. It has no voting rights in the strategy of "Traduk". 

But, according to Rogova-Gaxha, this membership, whatever it may be, is important for the promotion of Kosovo's literature. 

"It is important because Albanian literature, lacking mechanisms that promote authors, that translate and promote abroad, is very important for creating bridges of communication, for creating opportunities to strengthen works in German and other member languages ​​of 'Traduk', increasing the possibility of translations of foreign authors into Albanian, but our goal is to create opportunities to present Albanian literature from Kosovo in German-speaking countries and in those that are members of 'Traduk'," Rogova-Gaxha further stated. 

According to her, it is expected that Kosovo will soon become a member with full rights and that diplomatic and political steps will be taken for this. 

Until then, membership in this network remains a territory of negotiation where books and authors must wait their turn behind political interests.