In a conversation on the podcast “PIKË” with publicist Veton Surroi, Austrian diplomat Wolfgang Petritsch stated that the idea of partitioning Kosovo originally came from Belgrade, and that former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and then-EU High Representative Federica Mogherini were open to discussing it.
Petritsch, a key international figure in the post-war Balkan political processes, said his involvement in the debate was motivated by a desire to better understand what might be achievable through dialogue.
“It was the first time two Balkan leaders were discussing borders peacefully,” Petritsch said. “I didn’t believe partition would happen, but I hoped the discussion would lead to an alternative solution.”
He clarified that his position did not support partition, but rather encouraged creative and out-of-the-box thinking to reach a peaceful agreement.
Petritsch revealed he had suggested a meeting between Thaçi and Vučić at the Alpbach Forum in Austria, where they shared a stage for the first time. He denied that any maps had been laid out on the table but noted that Belgrade’s expectations about gaining territory were unrealistic.
“The Serbs thought they could take much more than they would give. That doesn’t work,” he emphasized.
He added that eventually, the idea of partition also circulated among American circles, but it never produced any concrete outcomes.
“If Belgrade and Prishtina were to reach a partition agreement, that would imply Serbia’s de facto recognition of Kosovo, since an international treaty requires mutual recognition,” said Petritsch.
Reflecting further, he stressed the importance of innovative political thinking:
“Even without partition, why not create joint cross-border ventures? That’s what politics should do — seek solutions instead of becoming stuck in rigid positions.”
— Koha
