Is the call of QUINT being ignored?

Authorities in Kosovo and Serbia have not moved from their positions, which have caused the impasse in dialogue on normalising relations between the two countries, despite the invitation of governments of the QUINT countries about a week ago, to immediately resume dialogue with the European Union's mediation.

Recognitions of political developments in Kosovo and Serbia estimate that the letter of Quint countries for Kosovo and Serbia, unlike so many calls, is of particular importance and expresses unified approach of these countries, but that for now, at least in public, to this call, Kosovo authorities, in particular Serbia, have shown disregard for it.

Politologist Ramush Tahiri, suggests that Serbia and Kosovo's approach to calling the Quint countries reflects the fact that currently in Kosovo and Serbia there are no responsible leaders. He considers that leaders in Kosovo and Serbia do not know the importance of the international community's role and do not realise that countries are sovereign only when they are part of the international architecture of peace, stability and international mechanisms that build and force countries not to cause crisis.

Kosovo and Serbia are still not facing much consequences, and they are thinking that they are single factors and that can make a commitment to the international community. They are not realizing that the international community sets the rules of Kosovo and Serbia, ignoring the rules can achieve peace and stability, as well as the agreement for stabilisation”, Tahiri said.

Dusan Janjq, director of the Forum for Ethnic Relations in Belgrade, tells Radio Free Europe, that the essence of Queen's call for Kosovo and Serbia, means that they will help full normalisation between the two countries but that they do not want border change and that this process should lead to Euro-Atlantic integration. The latter, according to him, has been experienced as a blow in Serbia.

It is true that in the first few days, from Pristina and Belgrade, we have had exactly reactions that should not be such, especially in terms of Quint's first request, to stop obstructing the process by orders that damage the atmosphere for dialogue. The first reactions have been from (the head of the Office for Kosovo in Serbia's Government, Marko) Djurovic and reactions from (Serbia's Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica) Dacic. But we have seen the Daciqi's new reactions, which talk about withdrawal. He says there have been 15 statements (of attracting Kosovo recognitions), which he did not want to publish. But it's all tactical. Both sides are preparing for elections. For example, in front of his voters, Daciqi wants to show how powerful he was with his action and that he feared Quinn. But, in essence, it was withdrawn from publishing those statements”, Janjic said.

But, connoisseurs of political developments in Pristina and Belgrade have differing views regarding the Quint countries' possible response to their refusal to call, if it continues further from Kosovo and Serbia.

Politologist Tahiri estimates that international politics is not the policy of revenge, but of the preconditions Kosovo and Serbia enter.

That policy is not subject to sanctions right away and there. Although that is not disfellowshipped either. Simply, Kosovo and Serbia ʹ as written on paper can't integrate into the European Union or have Euro-Atlantic integrations and NATO, unless they behave as subjects or as responsible states and without respect for this letter sent by the Quint countries”, Tahiri said.

But, Janzic, estimates that Quint's message is clear and that Pristina and Belgrade should deliver a message by the end of this year or beyond until February of next year.

Why am I saying until February? This is due to the American administration's needs, due to presidential elections there, if such an achievement will be positive. It does not mean that this is a comprehensive agreement, but it may be a memorandum, something preceding the agreement. I think that even in Pristina, when election euphoria passes, rhetoric will change. The only problem is whether to complete the pre-election process in Serbia, the campaigns for which start in February. Generally, the risk is great in case Quintus is not heard and the proposal in President Donald's letter to Trump. On the contrary, if it does not mark progress, the latter's response will be severe, which may mean financial sanctions for leaders in Serbia and in Kosovo”, Janjic said.

Tahiri, however, has stressed that a dialogue between the presidents of Kosovo and Serbia, Hashim Thaci and Aleksandar Vuciq, is possible at this stage, because both have the legal and constitutional capacity to negotiate the principles of the comprehensive agreement for normalisation of relations.

A possible meeting between the presidents of Kosovo and Serbia in Paris also envisions Janjaq, but according to him, it could hardly happen before October.

The governments of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States, known as Queen's countries on 13 August, have invited Kosovo and Serbia to avoid actions that would hinder a final agreement, meaning lifting the 100 per cent tax on Serbia's products from Kosovo, as well as cutting Serbia's campaign to abolish Kosovo recognitions.