Political connoisseurs speak: Would the format of dialogue change

But, according to them, there are already dilemmas in the opinion whether the future dialogue will preserve the format it has had, under the ease of the European Union or this format will evolve, or there will be an international conference.

Politologist Ramush Tahiri, speaking of Radio Free Europe, expresses the opinion that the format of dialogue facilitated by the European Union is sufficient to continue talks between Kosovo and Serbia because both countries are aiming for membership in the European Union.

According to him, so far, the format of dialogue has not been an obstacle to marking progress, but the obstacle has been the behavior of Serbia and Kosovo, their expectations from this dialogue, as well as the platforms of both countries that are completely opposed to each other.

“As the odds appear, (dialog) will continue in the old format, because the European Union does not want to miss the chance that Kosovo and Serbia normalise relations. While parameters for dialogue have already been defined, especially by representatives of the United States of America, who say dialogue should produce mutual recognition and dialogue should bring about normalisation of relations. The European Union, not wanting to prejudge, is not mentioning mutual recognition, but is referring only to normalising relations”, Tahiri stressed.

He added that in whatever other forms Kosovo and Serbia dialogue can develop, it does not guarantee any agreement, because the agreement is intended to be a kind of compromise, but which does not violate the interests of Kosovo independence and sovereignty and which minimize its citizenship.

Dusan Janjic, director of the Forum for Ethnic Relations in Belgrade, however, expresses the opinion that, in practice, change in the format of dialogue is already taking place. He tells Radio Free Europe that this change does not necessarily mean going out of the framework for normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia, but, according to him, it is already clear that special representatives of the United States of America, both for dialogue and for the Balkans, will be involved in the dialogue process, because dialogue has two dimensions, that bilatheral Kosovo-Serbia, but also that of influence in the region, so that through regional co-operation it can be facilitated finding solutions for specific issues.

So this is the new format. It is not ruled out that the European Union, which has the main facilitator of dialogue, and this will be the Commissioner for International Relations or the Commissioner for Enlargement, and therefore still remains to be decided to have the special envoy for dialogue, such as (Richard) Grenelli, in the sense of conveying the dynamics of dialogue and attending the parties' meetings, so that it can help them<1>, Yaqu said.

He also expresses the opinion that in the new format of dialogue, it will not be discussed on technical issues, but will be completely political and political issues.

Politologist Tahiri expresses the opinion that the talks on technical issues may continue, but according to him, they do not bring normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, despite having brought some progress.

Now, the European Union, but the United States of America also wants to rise to the political level. So just talk about normalising relations, at the political level and the platform. So far Serbia and Kosovo have never talked on the political level, although there have been meetings between presidents (Tomislav) Nikolic and (Atifete) Jahjaga, as well as (Hashim) Thaci and (Aleksandar) Vuciq, who have been discussing political issues precisely issues such as mutual recognition of independence, European integrations, Kosovo's membership in the United Nations, but have never sat down on the ground in political dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade”, Tahiri said.

Meanwhile, Janzic estimates that the idea for an international conference on resolving the dispute between Kosovo and Serbia exists long ago. But, according to him, such an idea excludes the party's defunct obligations to the parties in the far-reaching dialogue in Brussels.

An international conference, as he says, mainly happens after wars or in a concrete case, only if dialogue in Brussels experiences a comprehensive collapse and fails this model of dialogue. But, according to him, it is not in the interest of the United States of America to fail the dialogue in Brussels and take responsibility for the continuation of the whole process.

“What can be announced is the question of whether more is desired than the ratification of the International Assembly (of the United Nations) of the eventual agreement. If that is all that is needed, consider that this dialogue is conducted based on the General Assembly's decision, then Russia is not necessary at all in this dialogue. But if there is any ambition, first of all, depends on America and Brussels and at least from Pristina and Belgrade to include Russia, so that the resolution on the Security Council can be changed, in that case it is possible to present a secretariat mechanism, in which Russia would also be in. Maybe even a news conference called hockey, at the end of the process, where the results for which reconciliation has been achieved would be communicated. The second one seems very complicated, and if the dynamic work of the American Administration is understood, it's almost that the impossible” mission, Janjic estimated.

However, connoisseurs and political developments appreciate that the statements of the Quent countries two months ago, despite their specific differences, have made it clear that they have agreed to have a voice. According to them, Quinti's unified voice implies: full normalisation of Kosovo relations -- Serbia -- that there will be no changes of borders and fighting for solving problems, as well as providing financial assistance to Kosovo and Serbia, if they reach legally binding agreements.