What's new: between Kosovo and Serbia, the resumption of dialogue?

Text by: Jean-Arnault Dérens Follow

A press review presented in partnership with Le Courrier des Balkans.

Publicity

Barely formed, the new government of Avdulah Hoti has lifted the customs barriers to "reciprocity measures" imposed on goods arriving from Serbia to Kosovo . This gesture of "  goodwill  " towards Belgrade has been welcomed by the European Union and the United States, while speculation and short phrases are resumed more beautifully, both in Pristina and in Belgrade. Some say that the United States would like to reach an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia "  before the end of the summer  ". Resuming dialogue is in any case the priority assigned to this new government.

In this objective, all means are good, and a French communication agency was paid to lobby for the highly contested scenario of a "redefinition of borders", or rather an exchange of territories between the two countries . The Courrier des Balkans recalls why it is a fatal and dangerous illusion, not only for Kosovo but for the whole of the Balkans , while recalling its commitment in principle in favor of open societies, against any ethnic prism. Indeed, if this option was chosen in Kosovo, it would create an undeniable precedent, potentially explosive for the whole region, especially for Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia. This solution would be a blatant disavowal for all international policies, particularly European, followed for 20 years in the Balkans, always focused, often not without naivety, on the reconstruction of plural and open societies, on the reinvention of living together. Finally, this pseudo-solution would retain an “ ethnic  ” principle  as the basis of the States, since “  just  ” borders would be borders separating the Albanians and the Serbs.

The resumption of dialogue with Belgrade should take place the day after the elections called on June 21 in Serbia, despite the still delicate health context . Of course, there are hardly any surprises to expect, and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of President Vučić  leaves arch-favorite, especially since a large part of the opposition has chosen to boycott, believing that the conditions for considering free and democratic elections were not met. As the campaign unfolds without meetings or rallies, Aleksandar Vučić promises an increase in GDP, in the midst of a global recession .

The anti-racist revolt which seized the entire planet after the murder of George Floyd also spread to the Balkans. Demonstrations have notably taken place in Bulgaria, Montenegro and even in Croatia. Hundreds of people gathered Tuesday evening in Zagreb  against racism and police violence. "  The Roma and the migrants are our African-Americans  ", recalled a sign, while complaints accumulate against the abuses of the Croatian police , who multiply the "  degrading treatment and acts of torture  " against the migrants and asylum seekers. Amnesty International  denounces the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of these acts and the "  complicit silence  " of the European Union.

In Croatia, the Roma are also victims of racism, notably in Međimurje , a rural region in north-west Croatia. They are still discriminated against in access to employment and education, while hate speech is increasing and uninhibited racism is fueled by the media and local authorities. It is true that this climate of hatred is, alas, present in many Balkan countries .

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• Kosovo
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