Dialogue under the shadow of internal political crisis, EU shows when there will be next meeting

The lack of legitimate institutions in Kosovo after the February 9th parliamentary elections, as well as ongoing protests in Serbia, have overshadowed Brussels' dialogue, connoisseurs say. Despite French President Emmanuel Macron's messages for the importance of dialogue, expectations for progress towards normalising relations between the two countries are small.

In the European Union, they say they are working with the parties towards a full normalisation of Kosovo-Serbia reports, addressing all outstanding issues. The same stress is that the possibility of new trilateral meetings in Brussels depends on the readiness of the parties.

Regarding Macroni's statements Sunday following talks with Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, Kosova Preress has sent questions to the incumbent government, but the same have not returned.

Kosovo and Serbia agreed in 2023 on the Brussels Base Agreement and then on the Ohrid annex, but this deal has not yet found implementation.

A European Union spokesman says about The government expects Kosovo and Serbia to quickly meet their commitments within the comprehensive normalisation of their relations.

According to him, the two countries' path to the European Union passes through EU-attensive dialogue:

“The EU, as a facilitator of Dialogue, is working with the parties towards a full normalisation of reports between Kosovo and Serbia, addressing all outstanding issues. The EU expects Serbia and Kosovo to quickly meet their commitments within the dialogue, given the direct link between the comprehensive normalisation of relations and concrete prospects for their aspirations for EU membership. The road to the European Union for both sides runs through the EU facilitated Dialogue”, said in response.

European Integration Professor Dritaro Arifi says dialogue during 2025 has stalled, among other things, due to the political crisis in Kosovo. According to him, no government in office can negotiate anything without full legitimacy.

Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have risen recently due to the Serbian official's arrest in Kosovo, Igor Popovic, on charges of inciting hatred and ethnic divisions. Meanwhile, Serbia has arrested former police official Arbnor Spahiu in June, with claims linked to the Serb terrorist attack in Banjska, where three other attackers were killed.

The EU has earlier called on it to avoid unilateral actions affecting the rising tensions and going against the spirit of normalisation.

As to the possibilities of having bilateral and trilateral meetings at the level of top negotiators and technical levels, at the European helm they say they are willing to wait for the next round of talks, but that depends on the readiness of the parties.

“Dialog continues with regular bilateral and trilateral meetings at the level of the chief negotiators and technical level. The latest trilate meeting at the level of the chief negotiators was held in June. The EU is ready to host the next round of talks once the parties signal readiness, including at the highest level. The upcoming meetings will be announced in time”, the bloc's response further says.

However, despite the possibility of future meetings, Professor Arifi says he expects nothing concrete in terms of implementing agreements and normalising Kosovo-Serbia reports.

According to him, there are many words and few jobs, especially dialogue mediators. He underlines the need for Serbia to be sanctioned by the EU, as it has already violated the agreement. Hence, according to him, President Macron, when referring to unilateral actions that undermine the process, should also point his finger at Serbia.

Serbia, in December 2023, has sent a letter to Brussels, where it has indicated that it will not implement specific provisions of the Base Agreement, in which, according to Kosovo institutions, is included the defacto recognition of Kosovo by Serbia.

In February 2025, the new minister for dialogue, Danish diplomat Peter Sorensen, was appointed. It has held several meetings under the dialogue this year, but the same have not produced concrete results. /Periscopi/