Forming Association in exchange for who?

“The implementation of the security agreement, without membership in international organisations, has no meaning”, Osmani told Radio Free Europe, citing the need for Kosovo's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the Council of Europe, as well as the activating of the recognition campaign, among other things.

Professor at Johns Hopkins University in the United States, at the same time connoisseur of developments in the Balkans Daniel Serwer, likes its approach: “She's absolutely right when she wants to change the emphasis, from implementing an agreement that does not exist in discussions with Kosovo's friends about what to do [Kosovo] to get where she intends to change”.

Kosovo and Serbia have reached compliance with the agreement towards normalising relations in the first months of 2023, but steps have not been made towards implementation.

Even less promising are seen in the following months to the functioning of the new leadership of the European Union and the new US administration, following the November presidential elections there.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on August 21st, after a meeting with Senator Chris Murphy in the US, that Kosovo is committed to implementing the agreement, but to implement, it must also be accepted by Serbia.

In December last year, former Serbian Prime Minister Anna Brnabyq sent a letter to European officials, in which she confirmed Serbia has red lines when it comes to implementing the normalisation agreement.

The association has dragged on for over a decade.

The issue of forming association has been receiving constant attention since 2013.

The parties have in the past reached agreement on its formation, drafts and proposals from different parties have been drafted, but the association has never been formed.

Osmani said Kosovo is not reluctant to submit a draft of the West for review at the Constitutional Court, but that it opposes unilateral implementation of the agreement.

The agreement requires respect for the territorial integrity of both countries, and that Serbia not oppose the Kosovo membership process in international organisations.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq has stated several times that Serbia will neither recognise Kosovo's citizenship nor allow its membership in the United Nations organisation.

Serwer believes that Kosovo should only form association in the final stages of dialogue, when Serbia recognises Kosovo's citizenship, and that security guarantees for Kosovo should be made by allies through an official document, because it worries that Belgrade can misuse it.

US and EU Reactions for Access

Osmani said he has started discussions with international allies in this direction for a year, but has received no concrete answers.

Even Radio Free Europe received no response from NATO following the request to comment on Kosovo's intentions.

Meanwhile, an American State Department spokesman told Free Europe Radio that he expects Kosovo and Serbia to implement the agreements reached in the dialogue, without delay and without preconditions: “for Kosovo, this includes the establishment of association”.

European Union spokesman Peter Stano said implementation of the agreement relates to the two countries' path towards EU membership, and that “regrets that so little progress has been achieved in meeting the” obligations.

The agreement document has never been signed by the parties, but the EU insists it is binding, according to international law.

“Dialolog failed”

Serwer believes that it must be accepted by all that Brussels' dialogue has failed and that the agenda and priorities must be changed, as two neighbouring countries must talk to each other.

The serious priority is maintaining the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all Balkan countries. Kosovo must be recognised by all countries in the world and admitted to the United Nations”.

Asked how the dynamics of dialogue could change after January, when the new president takes office in the US, he said the preliminary knowledge of new officials for the Balkans is not necessary for success.

I have advised many American ambassadors who are heading towards the Balkans, some of whom have never dealt with the region and have done very well. I take no responsibility for counseling individuals who have failed. They talked to me, but they haven't followed my advice”

Who will deal with the question of dialogue?

Senior Kosovo officials expect equal treatment under the new leadership, something they estimate has not existed in recent years.

Among the new names is that of Kaya Kallas as EU top diplomat, and of Alexander “Sasha” Cassanofit as an American envoy for the Balkans.

EU envoy for dialogue Miroslav Lajcak has extended the mandate until the end of January. /REL