Kosovo's position in dialogue marred by political divisions

The weakening of Kosovo's position in this process, according to them, will affect not only the dialogue power, but also the possibility of implementing the eventual agreement, which is expected to emerge from this process.

Arben Kyresi, political affairs analyst, tells Radio Free Europe that dialogue in Brussels has nothing to do with Kosovo's relations with Serbia and the regulation of technical issues, but has much to do with Kosovo's internal regulation and how the state of Kosovo can function in the future, as a result of the eventual agreements.

Internal consensus, not only political but also social in Kosovo, is necessary. The parliamentary mandate for those who are the host of dialogue is also necessary to make decisions in the future, which will result in the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, because Kosovo's future will depend on it. The functionality of the state of Kosovo will depend on this. In addition, the lack of a unity related to dialogue with Serbia could also challenge implementation of agreements. Because all that is written on paper will have to be applied in everyday life, on the ground, in the Kosovo political system, in legislation and other”, Crees said.

He adds that Kosovo must work for internal consensus, while the international community should have consensus, on the fact that the issues that are being discussed are very sensitive.

Life Krasniqi, analyst from the Kosovo Democratic Institute, speaking Radio Free Europe, stresses that while Serbia -- now more than a year and a half -- has built a more stable position for dialogue, Kosovo has not done so. The lack of a political consensus has so far left the country without a platform and even without debate in the Kosovo Assembly for a process, which, as it emphasises, will determine Kosovo's internal integrity, but also its international representation.

“We understand that there cannot be a consensus of the entire political spectrum. But there must be a broader political consensus, where the ruling and opposition parties will sit down and agree on the essential issues of this dialogue, for the platform, for the leadership and the constituent team of this process. Then, in the Kosovo Assembly to discuss a platform and thus give the mandate and legitimise the negotiating team of the Kosovo side”, Krasniqi points out.

But, analyst Kyresi suggests that the likelihood of achieving an internal political consensus in Kosovo will be linked by political clashes, which are caused depending on the motives political parties have, to gain political position in the international community, and to gain political position on the domestic scene.

There are many things that connect to whether there can be consensus, as well as the nature of current political clashes, as far as the negotiating platform is concerned. I think blood should be cooled and that political actors -- that is, representatives of the citizens of Kosovo -- quietly discuss matters. Maybe even expand the discussions further, invite people who have knowledge about these issues and who can contribute to Kosovo having a good negotiating platform”, Crees said.

Meanwhile, analyst Krasniqi points out that the lack of a broad political unity for Kosovo's representation in the final of the dialogue process could result in the repetition of the already occurring situations, as with the agreement on demarcation with Montenegro, for which the Kosovo Assembly has taken three years to ratify it.

“If the same happens with the final agreement from the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, it will cause many problems for Kosovo, whether in its internal and international consolidation, but also in the journey of Kosovo towards the European Union. Therefore, a broad political consensus, for this process, is more than necessary, from the very beginning, from the resolution, which must be passed to the Kosovo Parliament and then to give due impetus and proper support to this process and agreement, which is expected to be reached under this process”, Krasniqi said.

Days earlier, the Government of Kosovo, at the request of its leader, Ramush Haradinaj, has withdrawn from the Kosovo Assembly the draft platform for talks with Serbia.

As Government officials have said, the move has been made so that time can be given to build a broad national consensus and continue further consultations.