Is an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia close?

This form of protest has been rushed as a result of the arrest of former Serbian Kosovo Police Official Dejan Pantic in Kosovo.

Following pressure from the United States and the European Union, Pantic has been pronounced house arrest measures aimed at reducing tensions.

On December 29th, Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq has pledged that all barricades will be removed.

These tensions have been similar to those in November, when hundreds of local Serbs -- who have worked in police, judiciary and other sectors -- have resigned from their positions as a sign of protest against Pristina's decision to ban the use of car plates, which leave Serbia's authorities.

The recent crisis has included NATO, as Serbia has started applying to the mission of the north-Atlantic alliance in Kosovo, KFOR, to engage its forces in Kosovo.

NATO, which has been present in Kosovo since 1999, has ignored this call and has publicly said it has sufficient capacities.

This mission, meanwhile, has helped remove the last barricades has left on January 5th.

Development History

Although Brussels is concerned about the situation in recent months, many diplomats have told me that these situations provide indicators Pristina and Belgrade are approaching the political agreement, citing the coming months as a deadline.

Both states have been blocked in this dialogue process, which envisions normalisation of relations since 2011.

So far this process has produced little concrete results.

However, changing the security situation in Europe from the outbreak of war in Ukraine seems to have changed the parameters.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, European diplomats have said Serbia, which so far has not joined EU sanctions against Russia, is feeling pressure, as the Kremlin is facing major losses in Ukraine.

Such a situation, of course, has diminished the EU's enthusiasm for Serbia's accession to the European bloc.

As for Kosovo, its steps on the road to Brussels are small.

At the end of 2022, EU member states have finally reached agreement to finalise the visa liberalisation process for Kosovo citizens.

This decision is expected to take effect in January 2024.

In December 2022, Kosovo has also applied for EU membership.

The European Commission is expected to analyse during this application, as there are five countries in the EU that still do not recognise Kosovo's citizenship.

Future Developments

Both American and European Union officials will travel to the Balkan region in January.

At the end of last year, authorities in Kosovo and Serbia have submitted to a European Union plan, known in public as the Franco-German plan.

In the draft of this proposal, which Radio Free Europe has seen, mutual recognition is not mentioned, but it seems to serve as a platform towards a more comprehensive agreement.

Perhaps the most important part of the proposal is that the “both sides must recognise each other's national documents and symbols, including passports, diplomas, license plates and customs stamps”.

Another part of the proposal, expected to go for Pristina, is that Serbia will not oppose Kosovo's membership in any international organisation since Kosovo declared independence in 2008.

There is also the call for exchange of permanent missions, for support of each other's aspirations for EU membership, and for both sides to agree that “cannot represent each other in the international sphere or speak to the other state's name”.

There are also elements on Serbia's side in the draft.

Kosovo must formalise status for the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo, and “provides great protection for Serbian cultural and religious heritage”.

The proposal also cites the need for “ensuring a proper level of self-management for the Serb community in Kosovo, including the possibility for financial support from Serbia. ”

At one time, Serbia wants Kosovo to form the Association of Serb-run municipalities in the northern part, citing the agreement reached in 2013 in Brussels on this.

Although not yet in effect, the draft EU proposal requires both sides to fulfil the pledges already made for a decade. / REL