The cynical political theatre for Kosovo continues

For several weeks there has been no other Balkan theme: Serbia and Kosovo are a little ahead of a deal! Hashim Thaci and Aleksandar Vucinq are working together for a solution! Even the exchange of territories is not disfellowshipped.

The culmination of this controversial initiative in the region and internationally orchestrated would be President Vuciq's speech to Serbs in northern Kosovo. The grass speculated that this journey would be the new guide: The reconciliation, normalisation of relations and a peaceful co-existence, Kosovo's admission to the UN. But none of this!

Frustrated weekend!

After weeks of political hopes came a weekend of political tension with a disappointing end. Dialogue between Kosovo President Thaci and the Serbian president Vuciq failed in Brussels, because the Serbian president felt deceived by Kosovars. And the guiding speech in North Mitrovica was just a repeat of old positions. Instead of a new route, it seems, Vucic chose the old course by cementing it with even strong words: No recognition of Kosovo, no border changes.

What happened, that all expectations for a “deal” were probably broken up between the two presidents so suddenly? Has something really happened, or was it all a new act in the renowned Balkan political theatre? According to the Serbian president, something weighty must have happened because his charge for Kosovo used serious accusations Friday: Kosovars have lied and deceived Vucinqi. Why? That's a lot of speculation.

Still many sensitive points between Kosovo and Serbia

The fact is that Kosovo's president, unlike the Serbian one, is under great domestic political pressure, having strong reactions both by the government and the opposition. It is also known that there are many sensitive points between Kosovo and Serbia that need to be clarified until a solution is reached. Kosovo requires first or not recognition from Serbia for admission to the United Nations. Serbia, in turn, wants to solve Kosovo's problem by guarding its face in order to move ahead with EU membership. So far in order, but among these remain many open issues: particularly clarification of minority rights, protection of churches and cultural monuments, use of resources, especially in northern Kosovo, and many others.

Yet, what is this theater? How is it possible that two presidents once try to find a solution directly, and then do not resist the first storm facing them to continue the course of dialogue and compromise. What the two prime ministers of Greece and Macedonia achieved so successfully, continued the course despite strong wind in its ranks.

Unfortunately, doubt arises that the desire for a settlement through direct negotiations was not so mature. Because Friday's serious problem in the Brussels talks, that Kosovo would not allow Vuciqi's visit to Gazivoda, was averted through international pressure. Even fears of Kosovars that Serbia with the north of Kosovo sought to create a type of Republika Srpska could have been clarified through good moderate negotiations by internationals.

Time does not wait

But how the population can be prepared for a solution when the main politicians are unable to represent a concept together. Or at least a common route? All remains a cynical political theater. Hope now remains the hope of an intensive European mediation, as EU busy Federica Moghrini demands. Time does not wait, because next year it is European elections and it is not so easy and predictable, what will happen next. The beaming force of an EU mediator, which has long weakened with EU membership.

After Vuciq spoke today not only for months but for years, even decades until a normalisation of relations is achieved, the question arises, if indeed there is a push for a close, time solution? But it is known that without the involvement of key politicians in both countries, particularly Vuccina in Serbia, there will be no solution. We must prepare for other dramatic moments, that a happy end of this political theater is still far away, Dw