Summary of the Week 27

New disagreements regarding old issues. Some new foundations have also been laid, which, by all accounts, will solidify the existing differences in Kosovo. Who is building, who is taking care of the facade, and who is tearing it down? As with every week, it depends on whom you ask.

It's hard for something new to emerge in Kosovo without first tearing down the old, both symbolically and literally. This was demonstrated during Prime Minister Kurti's visit to the north this week. When citizens are told how they feel, the situation fundamentally changes.

"I think the citizens are calm, longing for freedom and security. I am here for their well-being," Albin Kurti told reporters in North Mitrovica.

Those who do not feel secure or well-off can express it. And will likely be punished, as were the four young men arrested this week.

"They don't tell us the details, we don't know anything," says Sonja Radenkovic, the mother of one of the arrested. "They keep insisting that they're criminals, a gang... But they are just kids, young people. Even if they made a mistake, they shouldn't be beaten," Radenkovic said on behalf of all the parents.

If the goal of such actions is to shake families and their surroundings to the core, it has been achieved. In these cases, even the house arrest ordered for the young men seems like a significant victory.

"This is an innocent and insignificant event in which both sides can be blamed," says lawyer Nebojsa Vlajic.

Speaking of both sides, should we try dialogue again? Next week, perhaps. Although, as mediators have recently noted, it may need to be fundamentally changed.

It might be a moment for dialogue, but not for compromise, analysts believe.

"Dialogue is not popular during a campaign," says Artan Muhaxhiri, an analyst from Pristina. "Any compromise at this time," he adds, "could be seen as a defeat."

To the core, or at least to the bare walls. Actions in the institutions in the north continue until the set goal is achieved, down to the last dinar.

The remaining institutions need additional protection, according to those who supported the current initiative.

"The whole system falls apart when those responsible for the security of the Serbian community in the north become those who threaten it," explains Miodrag Marinkovic from the Center for Affirmative Social Actions, highlighting the need for mobile KFOR checkpoints.

Even if the foundation were stronger, it would be hard to withstand this kind of daily pressure. This week, there was neither the will nor the opportunity for reconstruction or even facade repair. Fundamental changes, on the other hand, were announced from Belgrade for the coming weeks.