EU, US to pressure Kurti for dialogue

The European Union and the United States will pressure Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to start dialogue with Serbia without setting preconditions, says in an interview for Radio Free Europe, Richard Caplane, professor of International Relations at Oxford University. He is not optimistic about any quick results in dialogue, due to the current position of the parties. In fact, it says that based on the current situation, there is the possibility that dialogue will last indefinitely, as is happening in the case of Cyprus or between Israelis and Palestinians.

Radio Free Europe: Kosovo has already formed the new government, and the European Union has called for it to immediately engage in dialogue with Serbia, which is eased by the European Union. According to you, what developments can be expected regarding dialogue following the change in government composition in Pristina?

Richard Kaplan: The question is whether there will be dialogue. I think there is pressure on (Kosovo Prime Minister Albin) Kurtin and Serbia to resume negotiations. I think it's possible to hold back, but I'm not very optimistic about the outcome they can produce. In fact, Kurti has lowered the waiting rate, as he has suggested it is unrealistic to focus on the final agreement, but to focus on issues such as the subject of the found. I think this is a direction where some sort of progress can be made, but given the nature and scale of differences between the two sides, I think it will be very difficult to move forward on more fundamental issues.

Radio Free Europe: As you said, Prime Minister Kurti insists on some principles that must be fulfilled in order to continue dialogue, including Serbia's apology and recognition. There have immediately been reactions from Serbia regarding these conditions. How do you evaluate this situation?

Richard Kaplan: Knowing the position of Kurt and his party, I'm not surprised at these principles. He tells them principles, but they really are prerequisites. I think you should go into dialogue without prerequisites. I think it's important to start, have negotiations and dialogue. These preconditions will not be met on Serbia's part, as this country will not accept Kosovo as an independent state, as Kurti has requested.

Radio Free Europe: What could be the consequences for both countries if they don't engage in dialogue?

Richard Kaplan: It's an impasse and I think this situation can last forever. You have examples of such situations, for example, negotiations in Cyprus between Turkish Cypriots and Greek ones. Their negotiations are lasting with the dakada. Then negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, which are also lasting for decades. So it cannot be ruled out that even this dialogue (Kosovo-Serbia) will last indefinitely in the future. However, I think the difference in this case is that there will be much pressure on the parties to score progress. One aspect for which all hope can make the difference is Serbia's membership in the European Union, and its condition to normalise relations with Kosovo. This could be a turning point. But for the moment I see the future, I'm not very optimistic.

Radio Free Europe: Do you think the pressure will become more on the part of Prime Minister Kurti, not putting conditions on dialogue?

Richard Kaplan: I think there will be a lot of pressure on Kurt to withdraw from the conditions because these are new conditions, they have not been put before by Kosovo leaders to develop dialogue with Serbia. So I'm thinking there will be pressure on Kurt on the part of the European Union and the administration of the American president, Joe Biden, to continue dialogue without preconditions.

Radio Free Europe: The new US administration has shown signals of closer co-operation with the European Union regarding the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. What may result from this cooperation?

Richard Kaplan: I think the best coordinates will be the result of this co-operation. There has been insufficient co-ordination between the former president's administration, Donald Trump and the European Union. In some respects the Trump administration has acted unilaterally but not against the European Union's goals and goals. I think the Biden administration will be more sensitive in terms of the importance of co-ordination. However, the difference lies in the fact that this issue is not of high priority for the Benden administration, but remains important. The American administration has already signaled that this issue is important to solve.

I think they have greater priorities, mostly internal priorities, confrontation with pandemics and economic recovery, but also external ones like these: restarting dialogue with Iran, then China and Russia. I think these have priority compared to Kosovo. For the United States, it will not be the same as it is for Europe, but there will be greater efforts to work together in this regard.