Analysis
23 October, 2023 • 17:00
Source: Kosovo Online

Will the "pressure" from the EU and the US regarding the expropriation in the north change the decision of the Kosovo authorities?

Vlada Kosova
Source: Gazeta Express

The "tug of war" between EU and US representatives and the Kosovo Government over the land expropriation in the north has been ongoing for months, with local Serbs seeking help from international institutions. The EU, the US, and the OSCE have raised a series of objections regarding the seizure of land from the Serbs in Leposavic and Zubin Potok, and the EP rapporteurs for Serbia and Kosovo, Vladimir Bilcik and Viola von Cramon have expressed that "such actions are unacceptable", but so far without any effect.

The Kosovo Government recently dismissed all international community objections regarding land expropriation in the municipalities of Leposavic and Zubin Potok, stating in a letter that over 138 hectares of land in the north were taken in accordance with the law.

Vladimir Bilcik, the European Parliament's rapporteur for Serbia, told Kosovo Online that there were serious, fundamental doubts about the land expropriation in northern Kosovo.

"This is why all relevant international institutions have focused on this issue. We tell everyone in the Western Balkans to rely on the rule of law if they want to progress in European integration. All changes in land ownership and expropriation must be in line with the rule of law. This is indeed a part of the problem and shows how challenging it is to engage in dialogue. Difficulties also arise from Pristina's stance on various issues; I have already mentioned the CSM, and this is just another open question. What I will also say is that at this moment, politically speaking, the main concern and focus are on the events that happened in Banjska. There are still many questions and problems, but it takes two to tango. All parties must deliver, and this issue remains on the table as an open matter concerning the rule of law and fulfilling commitments by Pristina," Bilcik states.

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, regarding the expropriation of property from the Serbs in northern Kosovo, demonstrates the level of the rule of law in Kosovo under Albin Kurti.


"You can expropriate private property as you wish, and you can amass Security Forces or whatever you call them in northern Kosovo, which is in violation of the Brussels Agreement. But to have no rights to personal property, and no security of property and life shows how people actually live in Kosovo and Metohija. We will continue to engage with the EU regarding expropriation because it is quite evident that they will continue with such practices, even though the EU, and Germany specifically, have clearly stated that such actions are unacceptable on the European continent," Brnabic stated.

Political analyst Igor Markovic, says to Kosovo Online, that if the pressure from the international community becomes stronger in the coming period, Pristina may withdraw its decision on expropriation.

"If the pressure from the international community in a broader context becomes stronger in the coming period, I believe Pristina will change its decision on expropriation. I am afraid that currently, Brussels and Washington do not have enough, informally speaking, 'carrots' or 'sticks' to persuade Pristina to change the current decision," Markovic emphasizes.


Lawyer Srdjan Mitrovic, says to Kosovo Online, that the international community will ultimately succeed in persuading Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to give up the expropriation of land in northern Kosovo.

Mitrovic emphasizes that the people in the north have shown a unified stance and great determination regarding the expropriation imposed by Pristina.

"Everyone has condemned the expropriation process. The public in Kosovo, the Serbs, the international community - all have expressed their disapproval. Yet, we see that Kurti's regime persists in this course of action. The Kosovo Government does not respect the international community, which cannot contribute to reconciliation among people or coexistence in this region. Under the guise of the rule of law, Kurti's regime is actually implementing institutional terror. They consistently use the law to act against or to the detriment of the Serbs," he said.

Mitrovic points out that landowners will have to fight using legal remedies, which will be pursued by a legal team, together with the Municipality of Leposavic, which also has the right to legally oppose the Government's decisions because expropriation, in this case, relates to the public interest.

"The public interest must prevail over private interest. The public interest actually dictates what is the benefit, the means by which that benefit is achieved, and the goal attained through the expropriation action. It is clear here that the goal is to create some bases, whether military or police. They claim it's to combat smuggling and crime. This could have all been achieved with an expansion of existing police stations. Apparently, that was not enough for them. They claim it's border police, so how can they be 30 kilometers away from the administrative boundary and the villages where they are building on expropriated land? Citizens need to be patient, and democratic resistance helps them express their dissatisfaction. There are also unused legal remedies that will surely be used in this case," Mitrovic concluded and added:

"I think the international community will eventually manage to change Pristina's stance, but it will take time. Borell and others will persuade the Kosovo Government to do what is best for maintaining peace, but it has to be done slowly. Probably under some form of pressure, like when the statement from French President Macron was made, saying they would reconsider visa liberalization. Such things will surely influence Kurti to change his policy to some extent," our interlocutor believes.

On May 10, the EP rapporteur for Kosovo Von Kramon stated that the adoption of the law on expropriation was absolutely unacceptable.

"We are aware of this, it is absolutely unacceptable. When I go to Kosovo, I will also visit northern Kosovo and definitely talk to the citizens to learn more about the situation and, of course, confront the Government in Pristina with the situation on the ground. It's one of my tasks; my main concern at the moment is the very, very fragile stability in the north. It is not in our interest to add more fuel to the fire. Thanks again for the question, and we will definitely pay attention to it. The EU Special Representative on the ground will surely include this in his agenda, and we will definitely pay attention to it," Viola Von Cramon said.

 

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