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"Kosovo economically unsustainable" 27 June 2008 | 10:14 | Source: Beta BELGRADE -- The Kosovo economy is only sustainable as an integral part of Serbia's economy, claims the head of the economic team for Kosovo Nenad Popovic. At a promotion of his book, "Openly on Kosovo and Metohija's Economy", Popovic said that research showed that Kosovo's economy had only progressed while it had been integrated with that of Serbia. "Serbia needs to continue to invest in Serb communities in Kosovo, and thus defend its territory economically," Popovic said, adding that during the 1980s, 250,000 people had been in work, while now more than 60 percent of Kosovo's population was unemployed. According to him, UNMIK had made a mistake by turning Kosovo into an "independent economic island". The book, among other things, talks about Kosovo's potential, including large lignite ore deposits, and the possibilities for development in the fields of agriculture and energy. The book goes in depth to describe the key parts of the long-term economic strategy for the rejuvenation of the Serb community in Kosovo, including the possibility of turning Sar Mountain and Prokletije into huge tourist centers. Popovic wrote his book using information from 400 bibliographic sources and his experiences and meetings with businessmen in Kosovo during his numerous visits to the province.
