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The expert on the Balkans from the International Crisis Group, Marko Prelec, estimates that the dialogue process between Serbia and Kosovo is currently pending.
Prelec says that the relations between the two countries need a small normalization and a big normalization.
" The great normalization is de facto recognition. A step that would enable European countries that have not recognized Kosovo to take steps towards recognition. But the chances of this are very small. It is more realistic to hope for a little normalization, improvement of daily relations, freer trade and understanding of the concrete problems that citizens face. This is not guaranteed either, but it is possible ", explains Prelec for RTK.
Speaking about de facto recognition, Prelec says that this should have been achieved through the Ohrid Agreement.
"This stage predicted that the Ohrid Agreement and its implementation should pave the way for the recognition of Kosovo by the five EU countries that still do not recognize it, or at least the improvement of relations with them. For Serbia, this would mean treating Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state, but without formal recognition", he emphasizes.
Prelec adds that the year 2025 begins with waiting for the position of American President Donald Trump, while it remains to be seen how the dialogue will develop under the mediation of the EU and what impact the elections in Kosovo will have in February.
" It is clear that the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade must continue. The positions of both sides are known and the room for compromise is small. There is little hope of a major breakthrough, but talks should continue, albeit with lower expectations of major transformations. As for the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement, this seems to be an attempt by the EU to give an optimistic image for a very complicated issue" , emphasizes Prelec.
Asked why an already agreed upon agreement is not being implemented, Prelec points out that there is a text on paper, but also an essence of what was negotiated.
"The agreement is unusual. It has never been signed. It was Borrell's statement that declared him accepted. The core of the agreement includes a series of concessions from both sides. Belgrade had to take steps towards de facto recognition, while Prishtina had to secure greater autonomy for the Serbian community. Since the agreement was reached, the Kosovo government has rendered autonomy meaningless, not completely, but in many aspects, by imposing authority over the north of Kosovo. The creation of the Association of Municipalities with a Serbian Majority is now less important than when the agreement was reached. For this reason, I think that Belgrade will continue to delay the implementation, while Pristina is already delaying the creation of the Association ", he emphasizes.
Commenting on whether the future government of Kosovo will have to create the Association, Prelec adds that; " It is difficult to predict. But the most important issue remains that of the rights of the Serbian community and how those rights will be ensured and respected for the Serbian citizens living in Kosovo. "
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