Next warning coming: Situation in the north could escalate after Djuriqi's arrest

DW: Marko Djuric was arrested in Kosovo and was later released. What does that mean?

Petritsch: This is disturbing, because this was a dramatic development with a great potential for escalation. I am glad that the release took place so soon, because otherwise an important step forward that had been reached at a secret meeting between the two presidents in Washington would have been questioned. I don't know if these are cross shots from Pristina or anything. Because under a Gardening Agreement Serbian politicians are allowed to leave Belgrade and enter the northern part. So far no request has been denied. I don't know exactly how it happened, why he was arrested by special police. Anyway, I'm glad it's all over in a short time.

Kosovo reportedly yesterday (25.03) President Thaci launched an initiative aimed at promoting the Association of Serbian municipalities. Today, however, news came that a group of Serbian ministers wanted to enter northern Kosovo within Serbian dialogue. This was considered provocative in Kosovo. What's your assessment?

Petritsch: Here we really should see that with Serbian internal dialogue a significant contribution of the Serbian president has been achieved, just to inform Serbs, of course in Serbia itself, but Serbs living in different states, both in Bosnia and Croatia, and that an integration is being made. After all, internal dialogue will provide a kind of support for a very difficult road

You mentioned the secret meeting in the United States. Last Friday (23.03) held a meeting in Brussels, where, according to our impression, it wasn't enough reconciliation ...

Petritsch: The fact of not cutting euphoria should probably be seen that this attitude is linked to the internal front or that it is “for domestic consumption”. But from what I hear from Brussels, there is a fundamental agreement between Belgrade and Pristina that they start negotiations again. And of course that means first and foremost that there is a desire to make the Association of Communists for Serb majority municipalities.

In this direction Pristina has not taken steps forward since 2013. I think this is more important. If this is accomplished, then there is also a certain psychological barrier to be overcome. It must reduce distrust, and it can only be done gradually. That's the problem. But in general, I think the process has entered the crucial phase. In that direction I am glad that Mr. Djuric was released. That arrest could certainly have led to a problem. At the same time, this action has also shown nervousness between the two sides.

Serbia reportedly would accept Kosovo's admission to the United Nations in exchange. But after the U.S. meeting, they stopped talking about it. Why did this happen?

Petritsch: That is like saying Pristina's goal. And it will surely take some time before Belgrade accepts it. Of course, this is the hardest thing, but I believe that willingness to find a solution here is very important. Not to mention should Russia's stance be abandoned. That, of course, nothing works without a Security Council agreement.

What do you expect now, after today's incident, and Mr. Djurd in Serbia, what will be the next step?

Petritsch: So now we have a return to work and then find a solution for Serbia's majority Communist Association. I think now this is the crucial stone to be fixed here. Then it will be meant for a form of UN membership or something similar for Kosovo. Because there are some models besides full membership, so we need to see if there can be intermediate stages. But this development will be the hardest for Belgrade to somehow accept Kosovo's recognition by the UN.

The Serbian internal dialogue we've been talking about for weeks and months has not made much fuss in public. The impression is that much is happening in Serbian public opinion. Or do you see this thing differently?

Petritsch: You're right. Those who participate in the dialogue are, of course, the most dedicated groups. I don't see much civil society commitment here. So by more liberal and open nongovernmental organizations. They need to realize that this is an important step. Internal dialogue is necessary preparation. And there should really be a national effort on parties and on disputes in civil society, so that they, together with the government, will pursue a goal. It is very important that different players in Serbia be represented here as a unit.