EU envoy Peter Sorensen is working to restart the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, even as both countries face internal political challenges. His recent visits to Prishtina and Belgrade aimed to create momentum, though progress remains uncertain.
Sorensen in Belgrade After Talks in Prishtina
The Danish diplomat has already spent half of his 13-month mandate without brokering a high-level meeting. In early August, Sorensen met with leaders in Prishtina, including President Vjosa Osmani and acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
This week, he visited Belgrade, meeting President Aleksandar Vučić, Foreign Minister Marko Gjurić, Integration Minister Nemanja Starović, and chief negotiator Petar Petković. After the talks, Sorensen announced that “future dialogue meetings” are in preparation.
“I stressed the importance of normalization for the sake of the people on the ground,” Sorensen wrote on X.
Vučić: Association of Serb-majority Municipalities Is Key
President Vučić used the meeting to emphasize the “obligation” of Kosovo to establish the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities (ASM). He also accused Prishtina of trying to ban Lista Srpska from the October 12 elections, calling it a threat to the political rights of Kosovo Serbs.
“Respect for the rights and freedoms of Serbs in Kosovo is under threat,” Vučić warned on Instagram.
At the same time, he claimed that Serbia’s policy remains one of “peace and compromise through dialogue,” while insisting on defending national and state interests.
Political Deadlock in Prishtina
Kosovo’s parliament is still facing institutional gridlock. Although Dimal Basha was elected Speaker, parties failed to support the Lista Srpska nominee for deputy speaker. The post, guaranteed by the Constitution to the Serb community, remains unresolved after parties rejected both the Srpska candidate and an alternative proposal for Nenad Rašić.
As a result, the Assembly had to move toward a lottery-based selection process.
Protests Challenge Vučić at Home
Meanwhile, Vučić faces over eight months of student-led protests in Serbia. Demonstrators are demanding accountability for the death of 16 people in the collapse of a concrete shelter at the Novi Sad railway station.
Ohrid Agreement Still Unimplemented
Sorensen’s mandate, which began on February 1, prioritizes the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement. However, despite repeated calls, no real progress has been made.
“The path to integration runs through meaningful progress in the Dialogue. It’s time to move forward,” Sorensen stressed during his Prishtina visit.
For now, it remains unclear whether the EU can organize new dialogue meetings before Kosovo forms a legitimate government.
