Summary of the Week 37

Amid the crossfire of global threats, ominous messages, and regional maneuvers that largely fail to move forward, we wrap up another week. On the other hand, efforts to bring balance to the overall tension came in the form of a gathering of winemakers and discussions about sports and the future. But where has this week's signpost led us?

If we knew how many steps were left to the goal, we would all walk more easily. This week, the U.S. Ambassador to Serbia reminded us just how long that path might be.

"Much needs to be done to achieve normalization of relations," said Christopher Hill.

Before that, logically, we must overcome the abnormal state of relations. And here, traditionally, we step backward, waiting for global moves to redirect us. Lower your expectations, analysts advise.

"People think this is the center of the world and the universe, that everything revolves around the Balkans. But sometimes it doesn't. It's just a matter of who is most capable for a given role," says Thomas Countryman, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State.

Most capable of peace or merely of reaching the goal? The entire world currently fears this disconnect.

The President of Serbia clarifies the situation: "If there are 10 steps to complete global catastrophe, we have already taken nine."

Some other regional goals, however, are clearly set. The first steps in the Open Balkan initiative have been made, and initial results achieved. Yet obstacles are emerging. For higher goals, sometimes it's necessary to synchronize steps and overlook differences.

Some believe certain differences can dissolve over a glass of wine, as shown by winemakers gathered at the "Wine Vision" event.

"We socialize with colleagues; it's a good opportunity to connect. This makes our products more accessible to all markets," says a Macedonian winemaker.

Regardless of the market, everyone loves football—some as a sport, others as a political arena. Will steps align by 2027? Everyone in the region is asking.

Yugoslav football legend Xhevad Prekazi has no doubts:

"I think that the joint organization of the European Championship will help bring us closer because that's what sport does. In sports, you shouldn't care about who someone is or where they're from," says Prekazi.

Such rules should apply not only among athletes but also among children. That this isn't always the case was starkly reminded by photos of beaten children on World Children's Day.

From a grim past and an uncertain present, we somehow need to step toward a brighter future. This week, we found a signpost in Zitkovac.

"My day begins and ends with the laughter of children, and that makes me a happy man," concluded Dalibor Vuković, a father of eleven from this village near Zvecan.