Gulic: Compromise between Serbs and Albanians is difficult to achieve, but dialogue is necessary

To truly understand the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, one must first take an interest in it, read about it, and also visit the region. I am not sure that from any distance, one can fully grasp the lives of the people living there, historian Milan Gulic said in the KOntext podcast.

He believes that the reality in Kosovo fluctuates between two extremes.

"On one hand, for people in Serbia, Kosovo is either a burden or a closed chapter. On the other hand, it is a source of hope, the foundation of national identity. It seems to me that we oscillate between these two extremes," Gulic observes.

He does not believe in a compromise between Serbs and Albanians, as their positions are completely divergent, especially after 1999, when one side gained everything while the other lost everything.

"Reaching a compromise in circumstances where independence was granted to them by a large number of countries, including powerful Western states, is extremely difficult. However, that does not mean that dialogue is unnecessary. On the contrary, discussions are crucial and very important," Gulic emphasizes.

He avoids drawing comparisons between Serbia’s Statehood Day, celebrated on February 15 and 16, and Kosovo’s Statehood Day on February 17, despite the historical coincidence of their nearly simultaneous observance.

"These are events that occurred two centuries apart, making direct comparisons difficult due to the vastly different historical contexts in which they took place. Kosovo’s declaration of independence was a violation of international law, as well as all regulations that established the new order in Kosovo after 1999 – primarily UN Resolution 1244," Gulic said.

He adds that February 17 represents a negation of Serbian statehood and reminds that Hashim Thaci, through Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, formally proclaimed the end of Serbian rule in the province.

Gulic, one of the most promising young historians, also reflected on a recent book promotion event held in Kosovo, describing it as unlike any other and stressing that such events are critically important for those living in the region.

The full conversation between Milan Gulic and Dragana Biberovic can be watched in the video segment.