DW: How to make Serbia recognize Kosovo?

The EU special envoy for the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, stressed during his visit to Belgrade that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is essential for both sides and that the status quo is not something that Europe supports. He also noted that governments do not have the luxury of choosing priorities and that Europe expects dialogue to continue.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that “he does not understand where the compromise is in the mutual recognition of Belgrade and Pristina” and that “the compromise can not be a statement, as Gjuro will apologize to you, that he beat you.” He believes that the Albanian side is not ready for an agreement, but is satisfied that it is ready for dialogue.

On this occasion, the President of Serbia promoted a new phrase for the solution of the Kosovo problem “no one all, but enough for everyone”, which is another variant on the topic “more than autonomy, and less than independence”. Therefore, the following analysts think that the President of Serbia is ready to recognize Kosovo in some form, if Serbia will receive something in return. Given that this is a process that is not transparent and that keeps the Serbian public in the dark, it is difficult to determine what this “something” that Aleksandar Vucic will present as the end of a road, in it which Serbia did not get “everything”, but got “enough”.

Pressure moves the dialogue

In a situation when Albin Kurti deals mainly with the referendum for the unification of Albania and Kosovo, the impression is created that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is not a priority for anyone. The Albanian side does not show much enthusiasm for the continuation of the dialogue, and Belgrade is somewhat indifferent if the dialogue will continue. That is why Dejan Bursaç from the Institute for Political Studies tells DW that “he does not see that Brussels will be able to revive the dialogue, unless a little more pressure is exerted, and this pressure can not be exerted by Brussels without the US”.

“Here is the question, how will Albin Kurti present himself, who presents himself to the internal public opinion as someone who opposes the West, but on the other hand is someone who consults with the US and Germany on everything”, he estimates Bursaç.

When it comes to pressure on Serbia, Bursac continues, it is in a way already evident from the report of the European Parliament. “This report differs from what we have seen in recent years. “We can see these signals as a small form of pressure and directing Belgrade towards dialogue with Pristina”, says Bursaç.

Vucic’s empty slogans

The director of the Institute for European Affairs, Naim Leo Beshiri, sees the rhetoric of Aleksandar Vucic after the meeting with Lajcak as a transformation of interests. “It is interesting how from the concept ‘more than autonomy, less than independence’ we have come to the moment when we really talk about the modalities of recognizing Kosovo. At the moment, the purpose of this dialogue for Serbia is only how to find a model, according to which Serbia will implicitly or explicitly recognize Kosovo. “And I think that Vuçiç has been trying for several years to prepare the ground for this through various institutions that have so far opposed this, such as the church, the army, or the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU)”, notes Beshiri.

Kosovo Recognition Bazaar

Aleksandar Vuçiç’s comment, that he does not see that mutual recognition can be a compromise, Naim Leo Beshiri considers as something that can lead to a wrong conclusion: “The concept of mutual recognition brings a kind of confusion, because Serbia does not necessarily have need for recognition of Kosovo. Kosovo, on the other hand, needs more recognition from Serbia. So when we talk about the pressures on Serbia, we are talking about how to find the least painful way for Serbia to recognize Kosovo. “Vuçi tani now intends to take some economic advantage from this, but it should be emphasized that even without the problem of Kosovo, Serbia has many other problems, due to which it can not count on the security of EU membership”, Beshiri emphasizes.

Serbia is actually trying to trade Kosovo’s recognition with guaranteed membership in the European Union, Beshiri explains, stressing that “the Serbian Progressive Party and its president think this could leave them in power for at least another ten years. “I think this is a completely wrong calculation.”

Formulation required

I am sure that Vuçiç is aware that this whole process is moving towards a kind of recognition of Kosovo, notes Dejan Bursaç, who says that “it is clear that now the wording is required, which in some way will be packaged and to be introduced to the Serbian public, which is very sensitive in this matter. “Now it is being asked literally how this possible agreement can be presented as if Serbia has not given up on everything.”

“Since the Brussels agreement, Serbia has signed, say, almost 50 different documents with Kosovo, which have further strengthened Kosovo’s sovereignty, and on the other hand it has not benefited the Association of Serbian Municipalities either. The Serbian side makes massive concessions in these talks, but presents them to the public as a process in which no one has lost or gained anything special “, concludes Dejan Bursaç. / DW /

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