Negotiation VV: Conditions of New Power for Dialogue

LV spokesman Progress Kryeziu told Radio Free Europe that dialogue must have “first transformative character, based on principles and values different from that transactional, based on immediate interests and with the logic you have to give something to get something<1>

The “Dialogue must be trans-Atlantic, in terms of co-ordination between the United States of America and the European Union, but also in the sense of Western integration as the goal of both sides. It is good for all to be with clear principles and frank approaches, aiming to always be in the service of people, not present government or individuals of the moment”, Kryeziu said.

The ongoing LVV has named the dialogue mediated by Brussels as nontransparent and has named most of the 33 agreements signed in Brussels as failures.

“Most have either not applied at all or in part. This, along with the lack of transparency that has conveyed this process, is sufficient proof that dialogue needs a new approach”, Kryeziu added.

EU urges commitment in dialogue

LVV candidate for prime minister Albin Kurti has said dialogue is the sixth or seventh priority, which is not well received in the EU.

Officials of this institution, mediating the dialogue, have not responded exactly to Radio Free Europe's questions, if the EU is willing to change access to dialogue, but have called for commitment to conclude the agreement to normalise reports between the two countries.

“We are expecting the formation of the new government, and besides that, we expect the new authorities in Pristina to engage constructively in the continuation of EU-mediated dialogue meetings and to seize the opportunity they have before them to reach a comprehensive”, EU spokesman Peter Stano told Radio Free Europe.

The EU has appointed the special representative for dialogue, Slovak diplomat Miroslav Lajcak, for reaching an inclusive, legally binding agreement that the final goal is to normalise reports between Kosovo and Serbia. But, there is no mention of mutual recognition, as Kosovo leadership is constantly calling for.

Stand by the Biden Administration

Unlike the EU, which avoids mentioning bilateral recognition as a final goal in dialogue, the US wants the comprehensive agreement to bring that recognition.
The American Embassy in Pristina, in an earlier statement, has told Radio Free Europe that Washington fully supports the EU-brokered dialogue.

“As President (American, Joe) Beden has said, a comprehensive agreement that will lead towards mutual recognition, preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries and empower their democratic institutions is essential for Kosovo and Serbia to move ahead of”, the US Embassy's response in Pristina is said.

Meanwhile, it is still unclear whether the new US administration will engage a special representative for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, as former president Donald Trump had acted.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the session in Senate, for his confirmation in the post, said he would consider the appointment of a special envoy for the” region.

New access to dialogue, required

Political analysts tell Radio Free Europe that dialogue has no alternative, but they appreciate it important that the future government focus on the programme it presented in the campaign.

Politologist Ramush Tahiri believes the new government can bring more substance into dialogue, as according to him, the LVV has had “original access to dialogue with Serbia”.

“It is a fact that normalisation of the reports (the official policy of the EU) cannot happen without mutual recognition and without knowing the subjectivity of the parties which will implement the agreements. With this new concept, I think Albin Kurti will be able to come out and I expect dialogue to be more dynamic”, Tahiri told Radio Free Europe.

Demush Shasha, director of the Epic Institute, which handles research and reports of Kosovo's integration processes, expects the new government to bring transparency into the dialogue process. He cites the fact that in his programme, LVV does not include dialogue at all, but Shasha expects the new prime minister to find a common point with citizens' expectations for better quality life and international partners' expectations for continuing dialogue.

“The US and the EU have to make it clear that dialogue with Serbia should be one of the top priorities they see for the future government. But for ten years, the same approach to dialogue has brought us here where we cannot boast of extraordinary success. Therefore, it is worth trying a new approach to dialogue with Serbia”, Shasha told the REL.

He believes, however, that LVV candidate for prime minister Albin Kurti has a time window not to deal specifically with dialogue, as Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq has said no agreement can be expected in the dialogue before holding presidential elections in Serbia in April 2022.

It is important that the Kurti Government deal with dialogue during this time, but diplomaticly, under the political radar, in order to prepare. In this context, Mr. Kurti could present the political opinion in Kosovo what the compromise is that Kosovo is willing to do, for the sake of membership in the United Nations Organisation”, Shasha added.

Albin Kurti's Vetevendosje movement has won parliamentary elections in Kosovo on February 14th, 2021.

According to him, the easier compromise acceptable would be “Exploration of opportunities for an even better implementation of the Ahtisaari Pacos and even further advanced the rights of Serbs in Kosovo”.

Politologist Ramush Tahiri says any tendency to offer solutions affecting Kosovo's “civic state” would be the most lasting achievement of an agreement on dialogue.

The LVV as the winner of the February 14th elections is expected to form the new government, along with non-communal communities, excluding the Serbian List. The government's creation is expected to take place after the new assembly's constitutionalisation -- the process, which calls for the prior Certificate of election results.