Existing obstacles to Kosovo deal Serbia

In fact, what the parties agreed on has been an Anex for implementation of the Agreement towards normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia, which the parties agreed on 27 February in Brussels.

Although in that agreement no recognition of Kosovo's citizenship is envisioned by Serbia, there are proposals for fighting some obstacles that continue to exist in relations between the two countries, due to Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2008.

In particular, the February agreement calls for recognition of national documents and symbols, such as passports, diplomas, car plates and customs stamps.

Also envisioned, for the parties to have permanent diplomatic missions, not hindering each other's path towards the EU, and not preventing Belgrade's membership in international organisations.

In exchange, the Serbian Orthodox Church branch in Kosovo will have its formalised status.

The February agreement also supports the establishment of the Serb majority municipalities' Association, but not to mention name.

The text only mentions the creation of a Serbian community's level of self-awareness in Kosovo and access to services in specific regions, including the possibility of providing financial support from Serbia and establishing direct communication channels for the Serb community with the Government of Kosovo”.

What does that mean?

In some respects, the deal and the accompanying annex if fully implemented can be the starting point for full normalisation of relations between Pristina and Belgrade.

This means a de facto recognition of Kosovo's citizenship, and the approach of both countries towards European integration.

However, there are three key issues:

Initially, neither the anxis nor the agreement are signed, which increases doubts about their validity.

Second, not much is mentioned in the annex beyond the need for Kosovo to start operating “immediately” for forming the Association of Serb majority municipalities.

Third, there is not a lot of threat to either side if things remain unmet.

Just as a close diplomat has told Radio Free Europe: “carotas are not very tasty, nor are chopsticks too heavy”.

The question of whether a signature of the agreement is needed continues to be discussed.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq has clearly said he will not sign any documents and has extinguished the initial expectations that have existed in Brussels that the agreement will be signed at an EU summit, which was held last week, in the presence of all EU leaders.

Brussels' initial agreement, reached by both sides in 2013, has not been signed, but at least initials have been put on it.

Speaking to Radio Free Europe after the meeting, EU chief negotiator Miroslav Lajcak has said that any speculation about whether the agreement is valid is, is the pointless “”, and has claimed that the document is official and binding through the announcement made by Borrell to Ohrid.

Lajcak has also acknowledged that it is possible to reach compliance with 12 points of the annex, but there are six other points the parties have not agreed on.

Ic is mentioned earlier, notes that Pristina should immediately start working on forming the Association of Serb majority municipalities, but there is still nothing concrete about when, for example, the joint recognition of passports or exchange of permanent missions can occur.

Will Pristina take any steps without taking guarantees for Belgrade's mutual steps?

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti could attribute his political growth to the position against establishing any ethnic-based association, and has often cited the need to avoid a situation similar to that in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The negotiating chiefs of both sides are expected to meet again on April 3rd in Brussels to negotiate.

This should serve as a sign that the deal will work.

All eyes will be on Serbia to see how it will behave internationally in the coming months.

The agreement cites Belgrade's pledge not to oppose Kosovo's membership in any international organisation.

The first test for this point will be at the Council of Europe summit to be held in Iceland in the middle of May -- an organisation in which Kosovo has been aiming to join, but Serbia resists.

However, key issues remain the initiative to implement the agreement.

Anexi calls for the creation of an EU-led observer committee within 30 days.

The document does not mention, however, what power this committee will have or who will be part of.

In Anex, it is also cited that “whatever failure to fulfil the obligations that come out of this agreement, this annex, or agreements reached in the past under dialogue, could have negative consequences for the integration processes of these two states into the EU, as well as the financial assistance they accept from the EU”.

That may sound harsh, but it isn't.

Kosovo's citizenship is neither recognised by the European Union as a whole, and this is not expected to happen soon.

To get to this point, each country of the European bloc must recognise it.

On the other hand, Serbia's EU membership talks have been blocked due to its failure to comply with Brussels' policies in terms of war in Ukraine.

Therefore, none is likely to be accepted into the EU in the years to come, and the EU has been reluctant to halt financial aid for the states of the Western Balkans, due to concerns that China and Russia may increase the impact in this region.