Before dialogue, clarifying the political situation

According to them, now several months, the United States of America, but recently the European Union officials, as well as its most powerful member states, are insisting that Kosovo and Serbia return to talks, which have been interrupted about a year and a half ago, in order to reach a peace agreement and that this topic be concluded.

Insisting for dialogue, (no) production
Analyst Artan Muhhaxhiri tells Radio Free Europe that insisting on international factors that Kosovo and Serbia return dialogue is about the fact that it has no alternative. But, according to him, before Kosovo eventually approaches dialogue, it should clarify the political situation within the country.

The conclusion of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, with an agreement that would ensure a long-term peace in the Balkans, is a priority for all. That's why there's no alternative. That should be understood by all Kosovo actors. Clearing the political situation in Kosovo, whether with new elections or new governments, will be the first step of the process of restarting dialogue, because without a clarification it makes no sense that Kosovo's participation in this” is required, Muhramiri said.

According to him, this is about the fact that currently Kosovo has a government in office and there are no legitimate institutions that would take over the burden of dialogue.

Analyst Albert Krasniqi, from the democracy Plus, speaking of Radio Free Europe, says the opinion that recent insistence by international factors -- that Kosovo and Serbia resume dialogue -- is counterproductive.

“We have seen very often that a pressure has been put on Kosovo, especially, but that the processes have been stalled even because of political developments in the country and in the end, it is not as though it produced something of this dialogue. Therefore, it is good for the Kosovo side, initially to stabilise and be unique inside, to have the issue of the future government defined. So, without knowing who will be in charge of the government, it would be problematic to know who has to negotiate in the name of Kosovo”, Krasniqi said.

He added that the country's president, Hashim Thaci, should stay within the authorisations he has with the Constitution and fully respect the Constitutional Court's act of judgment, which he has assessed that foreign policies form the country's government.

Politicalologist Ramush Tahiri, however, tells Radio Free Europe that insisting on international factors for restarting dialogue is reasonable.

“needs to be discussed with Serbia because normalisation of relations must be made. It is necessary because situations are changing and other things are happening around the world and Kosovo is losing the importance of the priority to be resolved as a matter. It is possible that during the administration of the President (US, Donald) the Trump this will be resolved”, Tahiri stressed.

Awareers of political developments have stressed that the Constitutional Court is also expected to clarify the situation regarding Kosovo's future government, if the current government continues in office, whether there will be new government with a new mandate for prime minister or the country will go to early elections.

Without a clear status of the future government, according to them there will be no legitimacy of the agreement.

Deal under pressure?
But what are the chances that an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia will be reached within this year?

Analyst Muhhaxhiri, expresses the opinion that this is quite difficult, unless there is a major insistence and pressure on the United States of America and the European Union on Kosovo and Serbia.

So only a tremendous pressure and a tremendous investment of American and European political potential towards this topic could finalise this year's deal. But if that doesn't happen then it'll be in next year”, praise Muhaxhiri.

Analyst Krasniqi sees another situation possible about finalising dialogue with an agreement that would finalise Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

If the important international forces, the powerful states that detect even foreign policy agendas, have an agreement to conduct this issue by the end of the year, they will do it without Kosovo. Because they will find instruments through which they will legalise those agreements inside the country. So, I wish that such an agreement, which will not be in our favour, has not been reached and that is not in the plan. But little depends on their acts and will within Kosovo”, Krasniqi said.

Politologist Tahiri estimates that in the event of dialogue, the dialogue will be short, because according to him, principles are already known and the experience of agreements exists. He expresses the opinion that there will be no bad agreement on Kosovo, which the US and Germany could support, because these two countries, together with the United Kingdom, have sponsored Kosovo's independence.

The Agreement will be this year. I'm optimistic. There will be normalization. There will be principled agreements. The Kosovo Government will lead the process, but only those who receive confidence from the assembly as well as lead the president”, Tahiri said.

Kosovo-Serbia dialogue has been interrupted after the set of 100 per cent tariffs for the goods of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the part of the Kosovo government, led by then Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, in November 2018. Serbia had refused to return to the dialogue table without removing this fee.

The United States of America and the European Union have consistently urged Kosovo to remove this fee, which did not happen during Haradinaj's rule.

The current prime minister in office, Albin Kurti, has removed the move for the fee to Serbia's goods and imposed reciprocity measures, which has been rejected by the White House's special envoy for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Richard Green. He has demanded removal of any barrier, including reciprocity measures, in order to resume Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. /rel/