David Phillips: Split it in no way

Deutsche Welle: Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic is seeking to discuss territorial exchanges between Kosovo and Serbia, while Kosovo President Hashim Thaci is talking about border correction. Is this how a new strategy for improving Kosovo-Serbia dialogue begins?

David L. Phillips: Territories north of the Iber River in Kosovo have been seized by force and ethnic cleansing. The Kosovo government has made its position clear. He will not participate in talks to legalise the passage of these territories to Serbia. The status of Albanian territories in Presevo and other parts of Serbia will be the only one to be included in the correction of borders.

Deutsche Welle: The United Nations supports dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade on the issue.

David L. Phillips: Really? The United Nations supports the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue that is promoted by the European Union. The dialogue is designed to negotiate measures to be taken to build confidence and address technical issues leading to Kosovo's recognition with existing borders. So far Serbia has not played its feet, is dragging the solutions.

UN work is not the creation of countries. Ethnic division would end Kosovo as multiethnic society. Many have lost their lives for the principle of pluralism. He must not give up.

Deutsche Welle: What will the United States do?

David L. Phillips: The United States will support the Kosovo government's position after Kosovars have discussed issues and reached an agreement. Washington is not promoting ethnic division.

Deutsche Welle: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Petritsch is calling new ideas “realism in the Balkans”.

David L. Phillips: New “Realism” means focus on European rules. Chapter 35 makes clear that Serbia will not become a member of the European Union without normalising relations with Kosovo. Realism requires implementation of European Commission decisions and EU member states.

Deutsche Welle: What will the European Union do?

David L. Phillips: The European Union must continue to support dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. But dialogue cannot develop eternally. A date must be set to wrap up talks at the end of the Moghrin post period in May 2019.

Deutsche Welle: In the September 2017 report on policies, you recommended a new beginning for Kosovo. What does that mean?

David L. Phillips: The new beginning means new architecture and stronger mediation. The United States must sit at the negotiating table. The US and EU must appoint special envoys for dialogue, which should encourage both sides to make compromises. Vienna's format has been effective in the past. He needs to be back.

David L. Phillips is the director of the peace-building and rights programme at the Institute for Human Rights Studies in the Columbia University. He worked for the UN and the American government and taught many universities. With Serbia and Kosovo, it has been working for 30 years.