How to achieve normal Serbian-Albanian relations: What message do Novak Djokovic and Rita Ora send?

The problem between the Serbs and the Albanians in Kosovo may never be resolved by politicians. The positions are too far apart, the trenches too deep, and no EU diplomacy is yet capable of helping. Especially not this Brussels, torn apart by numerous contradictions and poor decisions, inconsistent, sluggish, paralyzed by bureaucracy, hypocrisy, and a lack of ideas.

Both the Serbs and the Albanians have been stuck in the unsuccessful Brussels dialogue for a long time. Western intermediaries do not have to bear the consequences, and it seems they don't mind constantly arbitrating, coming, and giving lectures to both sides. They talk about normalization but allow abnormal politics. They talk about new agreements, but the old ones are not implemented, while people in Kosovo sink deeper into the mire of conflict and misery every day. How long will this continue?

For now, no one has an answer to that question, which is why there are increasing arguments in favor of leaving the Kosovo issue to ordinary people on both sides. They are presumably the most interested in having a normal life. First, a normal life, and then a better one. To begin with, life without pointed guns in the streets, where children can go to school without fear, where persecution, threats, and hatred stop. And when we achieve that, we can see what can be done with other civilizational achievements, human and civil rights first, then with the economy, wages, education levels, culture, healthcare services, and the state of the judiciary...

There is much that is wrong in Kosovo today and it should be urgently improved. The reality is ugly, and it is pointless that Kurti is convincing himself and the whole world that the Kosovo he leads is a state of "milk and honey".

The residents of the villages Stanishor, Straza, Zebince, Prekovce, and Koretishte, both Serbs and Albanians in the municipality of Novo Brdo, for example, do not trust Kurti. The same problem they've had for the past 10 years has brought them together. Nearby quarries have polluted the environment, trucks carrying sand have destroyed the roads, and these people are concerned about their health because the daily heavy dust makes it difficult to breathe.

So, the local Serbs and Albanians are protesting together. They have blocked the regional road to Gnjilane due to the damage caused to them. They are demanding that the central authorities reconsider their decisions and repair the ruined roads, in order to restore peace and a healthy environment. This is a small but very vivid example of an attempt at Serbian-Albanian normalcy in Kosovo.

There are, of course, other similar indicators among ordinary people. However, they are not making headlines in the media; other topics dominate there.

Speaking of which, interesting data were presented by the OSCE Mission a few days ago in a report on the monitoring of detention measures in Kosovo's courts. It relates to the vulnerability of the rights of both the Serbs and the Albanians. The data shows that even 38 percent of detainees in Kosovo are not convicted even after prolonged deprivation of liberty, and the percentage of those who have been waiting for the outcome of judicial proceedings for months or even years in prison has recently increased. Many cases among the arrested Serbs are based on very questionable investigations, especially for "war crimes and terrorism". Many Albanians also complain about suffering due to negligence, incompetence, and corruption in Kosovo's courts, based on other accusations.

A normal life is a fundamental need for an ordinary person, whether they are Serbs, Albanians, Spanish, or British. However, the standards of normalcy in Kosovo have fallen to a low level.

If you ask the Serbs, as an endangered minority in Kosovo, they need to be able to walk freely on their streets again. Police and other repression should stop. They want government representatives not to insult them or target them. They want to be able to go to their villages freely, with their roads open and their property intact. The ability to have necessary medicines in hospitals and sufficient milk and bread in stores will make them quite content.

Of course, the Albanians who care about normalcy have their own needs as well. They want peace, the freedom to travel to Europe, better salaries, full refrigerators, trust in the police and the courts, a life free from the fear of crime, and why not, good relations and mutual respect with their Serbian neighbors.

When all of us together reach that point, it will be easier for discussions about agreements and further political talks.

In the meantime, refreshing pictures came from Paris a few days ago, from the Rugby World Cup final, where globally renowned Serb Novak Djokovic and Albanian Rita Ora were seen sitting together in the stadium's box, having a conversation. They were even seen laughing. It's as if everything is normal, but it isn't.

These two individuals share their roots in Kosovo, and through their behavior, they show how important life outside of high politics is. However, the question is how many people want to see these images. Who and why is bothered when Serbs and Albanians are "normal"? Is it really a "sin" for Novak and Rita to demonstrate that Serbs and Albanians don't need stern special envoys from distant lands to teach them normal behavior? They can do it on their own. This is why it is essential for both sides to at least listen to and understand each other. Even if it's in English.

Written by: Milos Garic, journalist and editor of Kosovo Online