Trying to make Kosovo work

Kosovo is a country on the mend after the 1999 war. But high unemployment and widespread poverty have spurred many Kosovars to leave. Switzerland is one of the countries trying to help turn the job market around. Can it work? At first sight, it’s not clear why the Swiss are still so worried about Kosovo. Stepping out of Pristina’s modern international airport, you see rolling green hills and a stream of taxis waiting to whisk you away along modern highways.  The country is at peace and there are few signs of the destruction that took place in 1999, during the war between ethnic Serbs and Albanian Kosovars. Pockmarked roads and charred and mortar blasted buildings are a thing of the past. Minarets have been restored, and tourism is a major objective.  “Exciting destination” Apart from western Kosovo, some of Kosovo’s other tourist destinations are also flourishing. The capital, Pristina, is developing a reputation for its nightlife and jazz scene. The historic city ...