Single successful negotiations are those where Moscow does not interfere with Kosovo- Serbia

Kosovo has reached an important crossroads in its development as an independent state. A large opposition party won surprisingly in general elections on 6 October and vowed to carry out cleaning large houses to reform the country's institutions and accelerate the EU accession process. Meanwhile, the appointment of a new US envoy to resume talks between Kosovo and Serbia provides a new impetus for a final solution to one of the most vulnerable regional problems.

During Kosovo's election campaign, crime and corruption, in addition to healthcare and education, led the agenda. But the government at the entrance should not only commit verbal to eliminate the worst abuses, but must start producing results. Slogans and promises can no longer block an electorate that has become increasingly frustrated by the lack of economic progress or satisfy international players who view the country as being trapped in a hole.

The anti-corruption initiative should include all government institutions. The strict standards of responsibility and reporting of property owned by officials should be mandatory, while any contact between elected officials and private businesses should be transparent and undergo investigation. Judicial reform must also be completed to replace bribery-rich judges and prosecutors.

Serbian officials claim Kosovo is a failed crime-filled state and is not meriting international recognition. Measures to fight corruption would send a strong message to international institutions that Pristina is serious to qualify for membership. The leader of the winning election party, the Movement for Vetevendosje (Vetvendosje), Albin Kurti, may be the most significant figure since independence to deal with government corruption, especially since he is not involved in any dark agreement, Periscopi conveys in Albanian.

A second major task for the new administration in Pristina is to speak in a voice about resolving its dispute with Serbia. The rapid formation of a coalition government between Vetevendosje and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), which ranked second in the election, would send a strong signal of unity in foreign policy.

The new administration should underline a clear goal of recognition and full international involvement in all major international organisations. It will give less stability in the region. And the government should not be distracted or divided by speculations about division or exchange of territories that could sabotage negotiations.

US Ambassador to Germany Richard Green's appointment as a special envoy for the Kosovo- Serbia shows that the White House is determined to normalise relations between the two states, as it has already appointed Matt Palmer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, as a special envoy for the Western Balkans. Even though Green is new to the region, he has experience as a negotiator in the United Nations. Palmer is a helluated State Department official who is aware of the complexity of the Balkans and pitfalls, writes the Centre for Analysis of European Policy (CEPA).

The dispute on normalisation can only be resolved completely if Serbia accepts Kosovo's independence. Green will be driven to quickly find the formula to achieve such progress. Moreover, despite his controversial history as Ambassador of St. B.A. in Germany, it will have to work at the same time as EU representatives possessing the attractive Union membership carrot for all Western Balkan states.

Pristina must co-operate closely with Green and Palmer, demonstrating its readiness for compromise on specific issues, such as raising large tariffs against Serbia. On the other hand, it must avoid any unilateral concessions. New American envoys may be open to exchange of land or exchange of northern Kosovo municipalities with the Serb majority for recognising Kosovo's independence from Belgrade. However, they are likely to face significant political obstacles, as the new government in Pristina could lose most of its public support if it surrenders territory to Belgrade.

Similarly, the Serbian government is unlikely to provide any territory in the Presevo Valley, which includes the Albanian majority, especially with parliamentary elections expected in April 2020. Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq expressed surprise Washington's decision to appoint two special envoys to speed up the negotiations process with Pristina. Belgrade has always been looking towards Brussels to delay any agreement with Kosovo, hoping it can play different capitals against each other and go to the EU before reaching a final agreement with Pristina.

Moscow will also account for how it can neutralise or undermine any new American initiative if this aims to peak in Kosovo's membership and recognition by Serbia. President Vladimir Putin's Kremlin does not welcome agreements generating stability in the Western Balkans and boost prospects for completing the region's integration into the EU and NATO.

The Kremlin can even appoint its Balkan envoy or seek an equal voice in future negotiations. However, it is worth remembering that the only successful agreements implemented in the region are those where Moscow played no role. These include the 1995 Dayton Accords for Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement between the two main ethnic groups in Macedonia, and the 2018 Prespa Agreement between Northern Macedonia and Greece. Accorddo sustainable agreement between Kosovo and Serbia should remain free of the Kremlin intervention./Periscopi/