Agreement on Mutual Recognition of University Diplomas

Agreement within the framework of technical dialogue
Date of signing: November 21, 2011

Agreement status:
The agreement has been implemented to a large extent

Parties / delegations

Borko Stefanović
head of the Belgrade negotiating team

Robert Cooper
Chairman – EU facilitator

Edita Tahiri
head of Pristina’s negotiating team

Officials

Boris Tadic
President of Serbia

Mirko Cvetkovic
Prime Minister of Serbia

Atifete Jahjaga
President of Kosovo *

Hashim Thaci
Prime Minister of Kosovo *

Background:

The aim of this Agreement was to remove the obstacles to employment and/or continued education, which Serbs had undergone for many years following the completion of their education in Serbia and return to Kosovo, as well as Albanians, mainly from Preševo, Bujanovac and Medveđa, studying in Priština, with a diploma not valid in Serbia.

The same situation was with degrees taken from the University in Priština with temporary seat in Kosovska Mitrovica (Severna Mitrovica). In order for the students to have access to educational programs and employability in the region, the delegations of Kosovo and Serbia agreed to “ask” the European University Association (EUA) to verify the diplomas issued by universities from “both sides”.

The mutual recognition of diplomas between Kosovo and Serbia would be performed through the process of their certification by a third party, with subsequent recognition of diplomas on both sides. Thus, diplomas would be treated and processed through the same procedure like all other higher education documents of universities that not accredited in the country.

Tin collaboration with the local partner – SPARK organization, the EUA launched the process in late June 2012, by recognizing 74 diplomas from Kosovo.
Due to the limited progress made in the diploma recognition process, the Agreement was revised in 2016. The recognition shall be divided into vocational and academic, and apply to all levels of education. All the previously obtained EUA certificates shall be recognized by the parties and, in order to oversee the manner of implementing these agreements and conclusions, the EUA shall set up a three-member implementing group by the end of February 2016.

However, despite all deals, there are many difficulties in this process, so the recognition of diplomas has not been fully achieved.

The essential points of the Agreement

Implemented to a large extent

The recognition of university diplomas issued by accredited higher education institutions (BA, MA, PhD) in Serbia and in Kosovo

Partly implemented

Recognition of diplomas for primary, secondary and vocational education

Implemented

The European University Association supported by the Dutch NGO SPARK shall verify the university diplomas

Implemented

According to the 2016 revised Agreement, the competent Serbian and Kosovar institutions shall verify diplomas directly

Not implemented

Belgrade and Priština should adopt legal amendments to get adjusted to the Agreement’s provisions.