Away from the table of dialogue, Hoti and Vuciq crash in distance

Kosovo's prime minister, prompted by a statement by Serbian President Vuciq, for “non-recognition of Kosovo's independence”, said that “if there is no recognition, then there will be no agreement with Serbia”.

Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti made this statement after a statement by the Serbian president, who said that “by April 2022, Serbia will not recognise Kosovo's independence”, alluding at the end of its mandate as president. In April 2022 new presidential elections will be held in Serbia.

We have many important issues. But until April 2022, when there is elections for both the president and parliament, this will not happen. Then let voters decide”, Vuciq was quoted as saying. Immediate was the reaction of Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti, who said that “if there is no mutual recognition, there will be no” agreement. Hoti wrote in Facebook that “declarations that our northern neighbour will not recognise Kosovo's independence do not contribute to dialogue between the two countries”.

Remote disputes

“Dialog has resumed clear principles for final agreements on normalisation of relations and mutual recognition. There will be no partial deal. If there will be no mutual recognition, then there will be no deal”, Hoti wrote in his social profile, adding that “Kosovo will continue the path towards the European Union”.

“Kosovo remains committed to all open issues with Serbia being closed through dialogue, which is under way in Brussels, with EU mediation”, says Hoti.

Prime Minister Hoti and Serbia's president on 4 September this year has signed the White House in the presence of US President Donald Trump, an agreement for economic normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia. This agreement has not begun to implement yet, though the Kosovar side says that agreement will be implemented. The media in Serbia quoted the Serbian president as saying the US now, even though with a new president, “will not change their position towards Kosovo, regardless of which administration is in power”. According to Vuciqi: “It is true that those (SHBA) are losing patience, but Serbia manages to resist and delay”.

Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia began in 2011 under the European Union's mediation, aimed at fully normalising relations between the two countries. Two weeks ago, the EU's last in charge of the Kosovo dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, said the process is not blocked and the next meeting between Hoti and Vuciq will be held “s or conditions to be created”.

Lajcak for dialogue

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In early December, the European Commission adopted a strategy for the new agenda of transatlantic reports, more precisely reports between the European Union and the US. In this strategic agenda, the European Commission also cites the need for the EU and the US to continue co-operation even in the Western Balkans, with strong emphasis on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

“Europe has given the Western Balkans prospects for EU membership. Continued partnership between the EU and the US and close co-ordination in the Western Balkans is essential, especially in dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. We, we need to work together to support reconciliation, improve governance and push ahead with key reforms”, the European Commission's strategy for reports between the EU and the United States says in terms of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. /dw/