In a significant development, Serbia finds itself under increased pressure from the European Union (EU) regarding its relations with Kosovo, as President Vucic remains firm on his stance. Despite efforts to foster dialogue, tensions between Kosovo and Serbia persist, with negotiations in Brussels stagnating for an extended period.
Serbia’s consistent provocations, threats, and refusal to engage in constructive dialogue with Kosovo have not gone unnoticed by the EU. After years of tolerance, it seems the EU’s patience has reached its limits.
Recently, the EU Council of Ministers approved a decisive decision to revise the negotiation framework for Serbia’s accession to the EU. This decision conditions Serbia’s acceptance on the normalization of its relations with Kosovo, its neighboring state.
The alteration in the negotiation framework, particularly Chapter 35, makes the full implementation of the Agreement for the normalization of relations with Kosovo a formal prerequisite for Serbia’s accession process to the EU. This signifies a shift in the EU’s approach, emphasizing the importance of resolving the Kosovo-Serbia dispute for regional stability and progress.
The question arises: will Serbia comply with this powerful EU decision, or will it continue to pursue its own path, potentially aligning more closely with Russia?
President Vucic’s response to this pressure remains critical. Will he choose to prioritize Serbia’s European integration and the benefits it brings, or will he maintain a defiant stance, risking further isolation from the EU?
Notably, Professor Sylë Ukshini, former Ambassador of Kosovo to Albania, views the EU Council of Ministers’ decision as a necessary and positive step towards resolving the Kosovo-Serbia conflict. His perspective underscores the importance of international pressure in fostering dialogue and achieving lasting peace in the region.
As tensions continue to simmer, the EU’s stance signals a clear message to Serbia: normalization of relations with Kosovo is a prerequisite for European integration. The ball is now in Serbia’s court, and its response will undoubtedly shape the future of relations in the Western Balkans.
Initially, he hailed the decision regarding the conditioning of Serbia’s accession to the EU based on its relations with Kosovo as a necessary and crucial step for stabilizing the Western Balkans region and urging Belgrade towards normalizing relations with Kosovo.
“In fact, this change, related to Chapter 35 of the negotiation framework, where the implementation of the Agreement for the normalization of relations with Kosovo is a requirement stemming from the Brussels Agreement and the Ohrid Annex, now becomes a formal condition for Serbia in the EU accession negotiation process.”
Furthermore, the professor stated that it remains to be seen whether Serbia will abandon its current approach towards Kosovo, emphasizing that there is much work to be done in this regard.
“It remains to be seen how Belgrade will interpret this decision, so that Serbia ultimately abandons its obstructive approach and fulfills the obligations arising from the Agreement for the normalization of relations with Kosovo, as agreed upon on March 18, 2023.”
The European Commission and the EU External Action Service (EEAS), which proposed these changes, welcomed the EU Council of Ministers’ decision to approve them. From now on, Belgrade’s maneuvering space is limited.
However, he still believes that there is much to be done since there is no comprehensive and final legally binding agreement between the parties yet. He sees this decision as a significant moment, especially after the Serbs’ self-victimization strategy was exposed with the boycott of the referendum to dismiss four mayors in the north and their attempts to manipulate the situation for their own gain.
Moreover, he asserted that the recent EU decision sends a clear signal to Belgrade that the space for causing disturbances in northern Kosovo is minimal.
“In this context, the decision of the EU Council of Ministers is a significant signal to Belgrade, as it presents a clear message that the space for Belgrade and its representatives to cause disturbances in northern Kosovo is limited, especially now when the Council of Ministers is expected to vote on Kosovo’s accession to the Council of Europe, and when Belgrade has announced actions and an anti-Kosovo campaign.”
In conclusion, Sylë Ukshini emphasized the importance of the EU’s decision and its implications for the Kosovo-Serbia relationship, highlighting the need for Belgrade to adhere to democratic principles and refrain from disruptive actions.
Additionally, Jeton Halimi, Executive Director of the Institute for European and Global Studies, noted that such a decision from the EU was long overdue. He described Serbia as now being “backed against the wall” due to the pressure from Europeans and Americans, suggesting that Serbia will continue its ties with Russia in any form.
Overall, these perspectives underscore the significance of the EU’s decision and its potential impact on Kosovo-Serbia relations and regional stability.
According to him, Vucic will continue to maintain ties with Russia, and if he does not change his approach towards Kosovo, he will face harsh sanctions.
“Serbia continues its ties with Russia in any form; Vucic himself is Putin’s lapdog, using it very well for his political and strategic interests. Serbia urgently needs to stop provocations against Kosovo and begin implementing all agreements reached between Kosovo and Serbia from 2013 until the latest ones reached in Ohrid, North Macedonia.
But if Serbia does not change its approach towards Kosovo, the EU should penalize it with severe sanctions to make it clear that real negotiations and concrete actions in the field are needed to normalize the security situation and relations between the two independent and sovereign states of Kosovo and Serbia,” concluded Jeton Halimi for “Bota sot.”
