The EU, just as close, as far away from the Kosovo- Serbia

Dialogue started in 2011, but over five years has produced little results for resolving issues between Serbia and Kosovo.

Belgrade does not recognise Kosovo's independence, as if they do not recognise even five EU member states, mainly because of their internal issues, or reports with neighbours.

But EU officials believe there is now the time to reach an agreement, which could pave the way for both countries to eventually join the EU.

With the ease of measures against COVID-19's pandemic, Lajcak appeared determined this month to travel to the region for the first time in his new role.

In his speech to the EU ambassadors, earlier this week, said “underline dialogue with the clear intent to conclude it with a legally binding comprehensive agreement normalising relations between the two Western Balkan nations and which resolves all issues once and for all time”.

According to some officials who have knowledge of the process, this process will last with <x0-month and not years”.

How this will appear “normalization” and whether it actually means “mutual recognition” is still unknown. But some basic elements are already clear. If there is no agreement, there is no European future for either of these countries and the EU will not accept new members, with unresolved bilateral issues.

All EU member states are also dismissing the idea of possible territorial exchanges between Kosovo and Serbia. This idea has been mentioned for years and it would have made these two countries more homogenous, ethnically.

While we have an excitement, but also a construction of a <x0mmentium” in Brussels, the reaction in Pristina and Belgrade is running. Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq has said he is willing to speak, but at the same time has said, he does not see any new plans on the table, or determination for the talks to resume.

This statement is nothing compared to the positions in Kosovo. Newly elected Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti has expressed readiness to engage in dialogue. Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, simultaneously Pristina's chief negotiator so far, has repeatedly rejected Lajcak's role, declaring in the media that he will not participate in the dialogue in Brussels. EU envoy Lajcak and his superior, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, come from countries that do not recognise Kosovo. This has simply not been passed on to Kosovo.

Lajcak made a quick and controversial response to the decision of the past Kosovo government, which decided to ban the entry of Serbian goods, which do not possess documents referring to Kosovo by its constitutional name, the Republic of Kosovo.

This decision, like the 100 per cent fee on Serbian goods, which has already been abolished, came after Belgrade engaged in a very successful global campaign for attracting Kosovo recognitions. This campaign, so far, has stopped Kosovo from membership in international organisations such as U NESTO and Interpol.

Right at this point, the EU is waiting to speed up its game. EU officials claim Serbia has agreed not to continue with its campaign against Kosovo, as a gesture of goodwill to enable the resumption of dialogue. But, more is needed from Brussels, especially France, to really place “top in the field”.

It is now no secret that Paris shows no interest in further EU enlargement, blocking many times the opening of negotiations for EU membership, Albania and Northern Macedonia, and forcing Brussels to make further bureaucratic accession talks with Western Balkan countries.

Paris must show, that it is ready and serious about speeding up accession talks with Serbia, if Belgrade is willing to make a deal with Pristina. And for Kosovo, it must lift opposition to visa liberalisation. As the only Western Balkan country whose citizens do not yet enjoy visa-free travel to the bloc, this is a major source of frustration in Kosovo.

French President Emmanuel Macro holds the key. Especially now, when EU officials acknowledge the issue is actually political and not technical, as they have previously stated.