KDI survey: Change to Have a More Powerful Role in the Dialogue Process

Life Krasniqi from KDI has indicated that through this survey issues have been addressed that concern the future of this process as citizens' expectations for Kosovo's role and influence in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, the role the Parliament should play in this process, as well as the role of the EU to ensure the implementation of agreements. It has also said that KDI, has asked citizens what the normalisation of relations between the two countries means.

It has suggested that the findings of the survey point out that Albanians and Serbs understand dramatically otherwise the normalisation of Kosovo-Serbia relations.

“About 71% of citizens estimate that the key element for normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia is seeking forgiveness for war crimes on the part of Serbia. About 60% of the citizens of the Serb community in Kosovo interpret normalisation as non-convention on European roads or membership in international organisations, without the need for states to recognise each other. While respondents from the Albanian community (73%) and other communities (6.8%) elementary for normal relations estimate it is Serbia's apology for war crimes in Kosovo”, Krasniqi has said.

Furthermore, it has stressed that, given the findings, no major change in dialogue with the involvement of President Thaci is expected.

“are 33% of respondents who estimate the dialogue will continue to remain the same, and 27% of them who have claimed that President Thaci will not improve the level of talks with Serbia, nor will he succeed in ensuring transparency and inclusion. So most citizens, respectively, do not expect President Thaci's involvement to be a guarantee for a more transparent and comprehensive process”, Krasniqi stressed.

As for the Parliament, respondents estimate this institution should have a more powerful role in the dialogue process.

About half of their citizens estimate that Kosovo's Assembly should seek regular reporting and transparency from the Negotiator Team, by the President and Government, before and after every round of talks held in Brussels”, Krasniqi has said.

Based on the survey, the EU must become guarantor of the agreements. About 76% of citizens share the opinion that the EU should become guarantor of the agreements between Kosovo and Serbia, imposing sanctions/dedicated to parties that do not implement Brussels agreements.

Taken to base these found KDI, he recommends the Kosovo Assembly to grant legitimacy to the new phase of dialogue through the adoption of a resolution defining the composition of the negotiating team, issues to be discussed and the involvement of this institution in the process.

KDI recommends that the new phase of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue ensure the inclusion of local political spectrum and civil society for building a joint platform of the state of Kosovo in these talks.

Also based on this survey KDI, recommends that a clear and well-defined platform of discussions be built on the basis of a broad institutional and civic discussion to ensure inclusion and transparency by clearly articulating the expected epilogue of this process.

While the agreements reached should have implementing mechanisms, clearly defined timelines, as well as an added EU role in ensuring the implementation of the agreements and punishment of the parties on their EU-right path for failing to implement already reached agreements.