15 years after independence, critical moment for Kosovo, American politics towards it

American experts say that considering the state of the years of HINA90, when Kosovo suffered the consequences of extreme oppression by Serbia and crimes against humanity, the country has noted significant achievements.

We need to take a moment and evaluate the fact that millions of Kosovars live in an independent country and can determine their own political destiny”, says the Voice of America Prof. Williams of American University. (full interview with Prof. Williams, you read it. Here.)

The independence itself has been a success”, Prof says. Serwer, from University “Johns Hopkins” But he adds that what has not been accomplished is the establishment of sovereignty.

“A part of the problem is Belgrade's continued control over the Serb population in Kosovo that limits Kosovo's sovereignty. And part of the problem is failure to gain universal recognition of sovereignty and its territorial integrity. And that's where the actual issues --” -- says Mr. Serer of the Voice of America. (Full interview with Prof. Serwer read it. Here.)

Prof. Williams says history is an unfinished process, always negotiating.

Look at what's happening in Ukraine right now. See what's happening in Sudan and other countries. Kosovo is waging the same war as almost any other country in different stages of its political and historical development”, Prof says. Williams.

The 15th anniversary of independence comes as the United States and the EU have intensified diplomatic commitment to normalising Kosovo-Serbia relations. But the two experts say it is not clear where normalisation consists from the west view. They say it should include recognition of Kosovo by Serbia.

“Kosovo is an independent country, Serbia can share its thoughts and ideas, but it has no specific rights and privileges in Kosovo and the international community can exercise many measures of pressure on Serbia, and it should do so not only for relations with Kosovo, but also what they are doing with the Wagner Group and their links to Russia”, Prof says. Willams.

The “is a kind of diplomacy that uses more influence on friends than pressure on opponents, offering them everything that can be obtained during normalization from the beginning, such as the Association of Serb-run municipalities. But Kosovo is being offered very little as I understand, and there is a lot of pressure on Kosovo during this period. I don't know how this is going to work, says Mr. Serwer.

Prof. Williams says that often a powerful state pressures the weaker state to get a “PO” to reach an agreement.

And there's pressure on friends and allies, even if they're weaker, because that's easier to achieve than putting pressure on an opponent. I am surprised that the United States is doing this, as it has not worked in the case of the former Yugoslavia, has not worked in so many countries around the globe”, he says.

One of the main points on which the United States is insisting is the establishment of the Serb-run municipality Association, which Kosovo and Serbia have reached agreement on, but that Kosovo's prime minister has said conflicts with the country's Constitution.

What needs to be done is to prepare a proposal for the Association of Serb-run municipalities to be implemented only after the recognition of Kosovo by Serbia. To prepare a proposal involving American and European guarantees, which they have offered in their writing, but have not offered in the diplomatic document”, says Mr. Serwer, referring to the opinion published in the Kosovo media and Serbia by American State Department Adviser Derek Chollet and special envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar.

But analysts say Kosovo, in turn, should take on a pro-active role in terms of the process, in order to benefit from the fact that Western diplomacy, but focuses on this issue.

Kosovo can strategically benefit from this renewed attention from Washington and Brussels, highlighting its plan and a comprehensive vision of the future. So let's get past the issue like that of the license plates, which is very tactical and very local, in presenting a strategic plan that Washington and Brussels can see as a vision of Kosovo's leadership for long-term stability in the region”, Prof says. Williams.

He adds that it should benefit from Washington's leading role not only to resolve the small issue of Association but to present a comprehensive package, with all issues.

So when Americans say they're making guarantees, let them ask Americans for these guarantees to be written, to express them publicly at the highest level. For example, one of the conditions is to be the five European countries that do not recognise Kosovo, to recognise it. You can't just say no. You can say Yeah, but here's three things we need to make sure they're fulfilled, he says.

Kosovo's 15th anniversary of independence coincides with the anniversary of another conflict in Europe, with Russian aggression in Ukraine -- an issue that has not only shaken global peace, but has had meeting points with the Kosovo-Serbia process. Analysts see the position of the United States and the EU as a way of convincing Serbia to follow the West, not Russia's.

“Americans and Europeans must understand that it is time for Serbia to make a decision: either to engage in the West, fully embrace the Western values of Americans, the European Union, or otherwise engage in Russian values and suffer the consequences for the path it chooses. We continue to expect Serbia to take its way west and it does it occasionally, keeping options open once with the West, once with Russia”, Prof says. Williams.

He adds that instead of making concessions to Serbia, the United States and European allies, they should present Serbia with a comprehensive plan and say to choose, or face sanctions.

In that light you see Prof. Serer also the fact that the State Department has agreed with Serbia that Serbian diplomats have co-ordination positions in the State Department.

This sends a political signal that America is leaning from Serbia to dialogue and I don't think America should do that. America and the European Union should play an intermediate role, not belonging to Serbia”, he says.

The United States has insisted that it would never offer Kosovo proposals that violate its sovereignty. But it is unclear how this will continue as the parties insist on their positions: Prime Minister Kurti links association with recognition, while Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic insists that continuing talks depends on establishing association.