Despite announcements of upcoming meetings between Kosovo and Serbia under the EU-facilitated dialogue framework, political analysts do not expect significant progress or concrete decisions. According to Koha’s correspondent in Brussels, Augustin Palokaj, the current political climate makes it unlikely for high-level meetings or major steps—such as implementing existing agreements—to occur. One of the major political sticking points remains the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities.
Palokaj explained that with Kosovo potentially heading into local elections and no functioning Assembly or new government, substantial movement in the dialogue is unrealistic for now. The EU will likely continue pushing for technical-level implementations, rather than demanding political decisions from Kosovo’s transitional institutions.
🔹 No Results from Latest Chief Negotiators’ Meeting
The most recent round of talks between chief negotiators produced no results and lacked any tripartite meetings.
EU envoy Peter Sorensen stated that he discussed a broad range of normalization topics with Kosovo’s chief negotiator Besnik Bislimi, and that preparations are underway for a trilateral meeting. However, that meeting was postponed due to travel issues from the Serbian side.
Bislimi emphasized key concerns raised with Sorensen:
- Serbia’s failure to build three border crossing points as part of Integrated Border Management (IBM)
- Lack of response to Kosovo’s proposals for seasonal crossings in Bujanoc and Breznica
- Serbia’s refusal to recognize Kosovo-issued certificates
- Blocking of the bank accounts of the Albanian National Council in the Presevo Valley
Bislimi also noted Kosovo’s initiative to support small-scale farmers in the Presheva Valley, which Serbia is obstructing.
🔹 Serbia Focused Only on Association
Serbia’s chief negotiator, Petar Petković, reiterated that for Serbia, the formation of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities remains the central issue. He criticized Bislimi for raising topics related to Presevo and Bujanoc, calling them irrelevant to the dialogue.
🔹 EU Emphasizes Implementation of Agreements
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, during her visit to Kosovo last month, affirmed that the Brussels and Ohrid agreements remain valid and must be implemented. She suggested that discussions on a “new approach” to the dialogue will be held separately with both Kosovo and Serbia.
🔹 Reduced U.S. Engagement
Former U.S. diplomat Philip Reeker stated that U.S. involvement in the Balkans won’t be as intensive as in the past. During a forum in Belgrade, Reeker noted that while the region holds strategic importance in energy and geopolitics, it often overestimates its significance to U.S. foreign policy.
He added, “This is a transitional period. The U.S. won’t be involved in the Western Balkans the way it was over the last 30 years.”
