Vjosa Osmani's Proposal on the CSM – A new bluff by Pristina or a genuine threat to Dialogue?

Pristina has long faced criticism from the international community for unilateral actions taken outside the framework of the Brussels dialogue. However, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has taken it a step further by proposing that Pristina, in exchange for membership in international organizations and formal recognitions, unilaterally implement its obligations under the Brussels Agreement, primarily the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM). Her statement has sparked mixed reactions among analysts, raising the question of whether this is a new bluff by Pristina or a genuine threat to the dialogue.

Written by: Petar Rosic

"This is just my position, not necessarily that of other institutions. We are discussing the approach we took in 2007 and 2008 when we had agreements with partners and allies. Although Kosovo unilaterally implemented the Ahtisaari Plan, what we gained was independence. If international partners are ready to sit at the table and link the implementation of the Brussels Agreement with support, security guarantees, recognition, and membership in international organizations, it would represent a new situation," Osmani stated to the media in Pristina.

In her previous statements, the President of Kosovo has often threatened to end the dialogue. However, this time she has sought to impose unilateral actions through an agreement with the international community, which few believe is prepared to provide the requested guarantees, including her party colleague Jeta Statovci.

"From the meetings we've had, there were no concrete guarantees—nothing that would be in Kosovo's interest, such as NATO membership, recognition by the five EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo, or EU membership," she said.

Amid widespread criticism from the Pristina public that Osmani, by promising the CSM, has "sold out Kosovo's interests," many have also highlighted a statement by Albin Kurti. In an interview with Alsat M, Kurti said that the government could not establish the Community of Serb Municipalities because, according to him, it is not within the competence of the executive branch but, under Kosovo law, falls under the jurisdiction of the municipalities themselves.

Osmani sought to defend herself from criticism during her annual speech in the Assembly.

"I must regretfully say that the proposals I have often put forward to improve this process have been met with a series of disinformation and low attacks unworthy of anyone in Kosovo. To be even clearer, when I proposed that the draft of the Association begin with discussions with the U.S., so this issue would not be left to Lajcak or others who do not believe in Kosovo's independence, it never meant that I was seeking the establishment of the Association. Rather, it showed my greater trust in ourselves and America than in bureaucrats from states that do not recognize Kosovo," she said, adding, "The signature of the U.S. President is more important than Serbia's signature. I hope I am clear enough."

Osmani's statement has elicited mixed reactions. Some analysts, including Arbnor Sadiku from Pristina, believe it carries no real weight.

"First, we can conclude that Ms. Osmani is not the main political factor in Kosovo. As for Mr. Kurti, he is deeply engaged in the dialogue. After all, we cannot take Ms. Osmani seriously regarding how the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia could be shaped," the analyst told Kosovo Online.

He noted that Kurti is a significant political figure shaping Kosovo's political situation, but the status of the dialogue will only become clear after the elections.

"After the elections in Kosovo in February 2025, we will know Kosovo's position on the dialogue and which agreements will be implementable," he stated.

On the other hand, Dusko Celic, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of North Mitrovica, sees Osmani's proposal as a form of political bargaining.

"Osmani's statement is yet another ploy or deception. It is evident that she and the Albanian authorities in Pristina no longer even hide that this is some form of political trade. They say, 'Fine, there will be a CSM, we will make a painful compromise, but let Pristina gain everything it has not achieved in the Brussels negotiations, including UN membership and recognition of independence by Serbia.' I believe such a trade is impossible from the perspective of Serbia and Belgrade," Celic told Kosovo Online.

He added that such expectations are unrealistic, partly because the Brussels process is "on standby."

"To avoid saying it is in a state of clinical death, we cannot speak of it as an active process for at least the next three to four months. From that perspective, Osmani's statement is entirely unrealistic," he said.

Commenting on Osmani's comparison to the Ahtisaari Plan, Celic noted that the only similarity, should Pristina act unilaterally, would be that very little of the Brussels Agreement would remain.

He explained that everything Pristina has implemented unilaterally has deviated from the agreements. Thus, even if the CSM were established, it would not serve the interests of the Serbian population in Kosovo.

"For example, agreements on the cadastre or other agreements were simply undermined by Pristina, even though they rhetorically claimed to unilaterally implement them. Therefore, it seems to me that even the limited competencies of the CSM would be watered down by Pristina. The only connection to the Ahtisaari Plan, if I may put it this way, is that the Ahtisaari Plan itself was undermined during implementation, leaving very little of it intact," Celic stated.

He also recalled that the process of establishing the Brussels administration has not yet been completed.

"Furthermore, the new U.S. administration takes office only on January 20, so I believe the entire statement is a form of bluff by Pristina," he said.

Aleksa Grubesic, a researcher at the Center for Social Stability in Novi Sad, believes Osmani's aim was precisely to reach the incoming U.S. administration. Speaking to Kosovo Online, he suggested that her proposal can be viewed from two angles.

"On one hand, it represents an attempt to break the stalemate in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and to push forward Pristina's agenda. On the other, it is directed at their main partners, particularly the international community, primarily the U.S., at a time when there is a change in administration," he stated.

He noted that Osmani and the Pristina government have ardently supported the Democratic administration, adding that she now seeks to position herself as a constructive partner.

"They participated in Democratic conventions and were photographed with Kamala Harris. Now they are trying to position themselves as constructive partners in the dialogue and offer a solution to the United States," Grubesic concluded.

Aleksa Grubesic, a researcher at the Center for Social Stability in Novi Sad, believes that Osmani's goal was precisely to reach out to the new U.S. administration. Speaking to Kosovo Online, he explained that her proposal can be viewed from two perspectives.

"On one hand, it reflects the prolonged stalemate in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and it represents her attempt to break out of this deadlock and, in some way, continue the dialogue to achieve what Pristina wants. On the other hand, it is aimed directly at their main partners, namely the international community, primarily the U.S., at a time when there is a change in administration," said Grubesic.

He noted that both Osmani and the Pristina government have wholeheartedly supported the Democratic administration, suggesting that she now seeks to position herself as a constructive partner.

"They participated in Democratic conventions and were photographed with Kamala Harris. Now they are trying to position themselves—or rather, she is trying to position herself—as a constructive partner in this dialogue and to actually offer a solution to the United States," Grubesic said.