The demands and measures of the Serbian President have sparked reactions. When commenting on Vučić’s request for a return to the “status quo ante” in the north, U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres emphasized that Kosovo is an independent state and will not surrender its sovereignty. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla called on the international community to condemn the inflammatory rhetoric of the Serbian president. Security and legal experts noted that these demands are unrealistic but acknowledged the possibility of international pressure for their fulfillment.
The measures proposed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on Friday regarding the situation of Serbs in northern Kosovo have provoked widespread reactions.
As a measure for the north, Vučić called for a return to the “status quo ante,” or a previous state, as a way to address what he described as an attempt by Kosovo to persecute Serbs.
U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres emphasized that this return will not happen, as Kosovo, as a sovereign state, is fully entitled to uphold its territorial integrity.
“Serbia is demanding that Kosovo surrender its sovereignty and return to the ‘status quo ante.’ This will not happen. Kosovo is an independent state and will remain so, supported by its greatest ally: the United States of America. History is on the side of Kosovo’s independence. Aleksandar Vučić is on the wrong side of history,” Congressman Torres stated.
Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla emphasized that Vučić’s demands indicate that he continues to manipulate Kosovo Serbs for political and financial gain.
She urged international allies to condemn Vučić’s hostile language.
“Kosovo, as a sovereign and independent state, with protected territorial integrity and a strong democracy, is stronger than ever before. We call on international actors to clearly condemn, with firm language and positions, the aggressive rhetoric and hostile actions of Aleksandar Vučić towards the Republic of Kosovo,” Minister Gërvalla said.
Regarding the situation in the north, AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj stated that the Serbian president is primarily responsible for the ongoing tensions in the region. He emphasized that Vučić has undermined every effort to integrate Serbs into Kosovo’s institutions.
While acknowledging some challenges, Haradinaj criticized short-sighted political approaches that have allowed Serbia’s actions to persist. He reaffirmed that mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia, within existing borders, is the only viable solution.
Security experts argue that Vučić’s demands reflect a recognition of the changed realities on the ground. Nuredin Ibishi highlighted that extremist groups once used to disrupt Kosovo’s stability have been largely dismantled.
“He is trying to revert to a past system, despite the significant progress that Kosovo has made. Vučić is missing the extremists who once sought to destabilize Kosovo from within,” Ibishi said.
Vučić’s demands include holding new elections in the north, withdrawing special units, dissolving parallel institutions, forming the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities, releasing prisoners, reinstating payments in dinars for postal services, and reinstating Serb officials who resigned from their positions.
More than a year later, the Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils have not accepted the resignations of Serb judges and prosecutors.
Legal expert Mazllum Baraliu clarified that from a legal perspective, these officials cannot return without undergoing the proper recruitment procedures.
“The law requires that to rejoin institutions, they must go through the standard employment processes,” Baraliu explained. “Even in the judiciary, they must apply and go through competitive processes, as required by legal and constitutional norms.”
Ibishi further stated that Vučić’s demands are unrealistic.
“These demands are simply part of Vučić’s wish list. The reality is that Kosovo has moved forward and these demands are out of touch with the current situation,” he said.
Baraliu warned that despite the lack of legal grounds for many of these demands, there is potential for international pressure on Kosovo to address them.
“There is a risk that international actors, including QUINT countries and the European Union, may push for some form of compromise. However, Kosovo must remain steadfast in its commitment to its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Baraliu emphasized.
Nearly two years ago, at the request of official Belgrade, Serb officials in northern Kosovo resigned from their positions. Now, Vučić is requesting their return, despite the lack of legal and institutional processes to reinstate them.
