American analysts talk Kosovo-Serbia meeting in Washington

Two American analysts, Damon Wilson and Daniel Serwer, spoke with the Voice of America about the expectations of the meeting.

As the June 27th meeting draws near, some important details have become known. Richard Greenell, the White House's special charge for Kosovo-Serbia talks, says the meeting will focus on economic issues, while political issues will be left to be resolved by the European Union.

Some have expressed doubt that the meeting at the White House may be more of a spectacle for the administration to present it as its success.

But Damon Wilson, executive vice president of the organisation “Atlantic Council” in Washington, says the meeting is a welcome move.

“Bota has changed. We've had a pandemic, we've had a global recession and protests in the US. But even in the region itself, there has been a lot of political dramas. The European Union changed its leadership. All of this made the impression that we were losing the moment, that maybe the Balkans were coming to an end of the agenda... Now we see this diplomacy intensifying and that's a good thing”, he said.

Daniel Serwer, who has been working for a long time on Balkan issues, does not believe the division of roles between the US and the European Union in terms of Kosovo- Serbia is a good idea.

This division of work does not make sense in the long-term view. Europe is ultimately an economic union, and Serbia and Kosovo have ambitions to become part of this economic union. Therefore, for Americans in the long term to deal with economic issues, there is no point in dealing with political issues as well. Because American influence and prestige, especially their ability to speak with the Russians will be necessary to solve political issues”, Cerer said.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday that he would not be an obstacle to the United States if they manage to lower Kosovo and Serbia in peace talks.

“We are not in competition with the US about who will first resolve the Kosovo issue”, he said.

If the US are able to lower both sides together, even in the White House Rose Garden or wherever, I would be more than happy, but today only a structured dialogue exists between Pristina and Belgrade, and this is dialogue under the commitment of the European Union and the European Union is willing to push it forward”, Borrell said.

Analyst Damon Wilson has worked in the past at the White House National Security Council.

“If we've learned anything for the past decades... is that when the United States and the European Union work together for a common purpose, our chances for success are much greater. When we don't walk together, this allows the parties in the region to create problems if we express ourselves that way and turn us against each other. We have major issues to resolve, we need to be on a line and have a common goal, even though we have different roles to play”, he said.

For his part, Serwer says that although he is not satisfied with the state of co-operation between the United States and the European Union for the Balkans, and especially on issues between Kosovo and Serbia, this does not mean that Americans will not come up with something important in economic terms.

“Two things would make much sense if achieved: One is the elimination of non-tariff trade barriers, and the other is implementation of existing technical agreements that are almost entirely economic issues between the two countries. I would like these to be”, Cererwer said

Special Envoy Richard Green has repeated several times in the past few days that there is no secret plan for exchanging territories as a solution between Kosovo and Serbia.

Analyst Daniel Serwer says this is something positive.

If Mr. Green says he doesn't exist and he's willing to make sure it doesn't happen, that would make me happy, because I think it would be a terrible idea. But it's also a bad idea that never dies. It's like a zombie coming around the world waiting for someone to bring him back. And there's always someone who doesn't know the Balkans well, ready to revive”, he said. /VoA/