Civil society two initiatives for dialogue

Civil society is not being indifferent to efforts to create a political consensus in Kosovo, in relation to the final phase of political dialogue with Serbia.

Currently, there are two initiatives from civil society, as efforts to establish debate among political parties in the goals of reaching an agreement about Kosovo's representation in the dialogue.

One initiative concerns the Kosovo Democratic Institute, which has called on political parties to place the question of dialogue in the Kosovo Assembly. And, on the other hand, the Balkan Policy Group, which has largely tried to reach interparty consensus through political tables.

Naim Rashit, director of the Balkan Group, tells Radio Free Europe that reaching an agreement among political parties now is difficult. He expects positive moves, especially from the Democratic Party of Kosovo and the Democratic League of Kosovo.

“I believe the main problem lies with the political subjects themselves, which have not yet defined their political position in the face of the dialogue process. And then, other issues come, shapes, processes, principles. A big delay has been made, the process will not stop”.

The “needs to have political subjects co-ordinated and formally appoint a negotiating team, which on the basis of principles will negotiate all possible protocols of the” agreements by September, Rashi says.

He also says that the table of discussions organised by political subjects or anyone else can hardly bring any content decision.

According to him, all that has been achieved so far by such meetings is that there is a reconciliation that, at this stage, political party leaders, must sit down and make big decisions.

The “is still very difficult and often developments that are happening are making it even harder to agree. Communication, political discourse at certain stages has made it even more difficult, and we have seen this before. Subjects must find the way and appoint a negotiating team, which President Thaci should accept as such, so as a team, which comes out of the Kosovo Assembly decision”, Rashi estimates.

Even the Kosovo Democratic Institute has consistently invited parliamentary political parties to mobilise for calling an extraordinary session for the final phase of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

Representatives of this organisation say the closing phase of dialogue, Kosovo- Serbia is continuing with significant lack of transparency and without co-ordination of the political spectrum.

Life Krasniqi, connoisseur of the dialogue process by this Institute, tells Radio Free Europe that the Parliament is the highest lawmaker institution, which will eventually be responsible for ratification of the final bilateral agreement. According to her, MPs for this closing phase of dialogue should discuss and reach a consensus for the representative team.

“The question of dialogue is a matter of high state interest that determines the internal functioning and even the international functioning of Kosovo, so there must be an inclusion of political parties”.

“The location should be at any moment involved in it. The political parties have seen that they have been reluctant to call an extraordinary session, we have seen the dialogue known to return to the Parliament, but political parties -- both in power and in opposition -- are not inviting a regular session where there will be discussion on the future of the <x1-> dialogue, Krasniqi estimates.

It emphasises that the Kosovo state platform for talks should be defined in the Kosovo Assembly, giving legitimacy to the state process through the adoption of a resolution, which will also determine Kosovo's red lines.

It's very unclear where you're going with this process. We have heard from the president of the country saying that the epilogue of this process should be mutual recognition, Kosovo membership in all international organisations, but we do not know what the topics will be discussed. The second meeting was held and we don't know what was discussed and what the topics were and what the topics of discussion would be. So, lack of transparency is also characterising the final phase of dialogue as well as the other”, Krasniqi points out.

Lack of political co-operation and co-ordination among political parties to address the issue of dialogue, according to Naim Rashit, will make the whole process of dialogue with Serbia even more difficult.

He does not believe a certain political subject in Kosovo would benefit political points if he boycotts the process.

“They will not benefit as they have not benefited from past political crises”, he stresses, viewing dialogue as finally possible for Kosovo and Serbia to reach an agreement.

The “is a single given opportunity, which if not realised, will remain a frozen conflict, in status-quo with Serbia for several years, Rashi adds.

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, who is holding meetings in Brussels with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vuciq, has invited all political forces in Kosovo to join the dialogue process, and to contribute to reaching the final agreement with Serbia.