Summary of the Week 65

In both winter and summer, in the past and today—experience shows that Kosovo is always ripe for absurdity. Situations that defy logic, institutions that bypass the law, and circumstances with no precedent. The past week was no exception.

The long summer days offer more opportunities—to turn reality upside down and invent ever more reasons to justify it. Some things remain illogical, no matter how many committees or working groups are formed to address them.

“It’s hard to work on demarcation, but easy to open a bridge,” points out Dragiša Mijacic from the EU National Convention for Chapter 35, highlighting one such contradiction.

“It’s simply not possible,” he adds.

Does the same logic apply on the bridge as next to it? Or, as some analysts claim: those who object simply don’t understand?

“Opening the bridge is not a threat to anyone. It actually benefits the northern municipality more than the southern one,” believes university professor from South Mitrovica, Naxhmedin Spahiu.

Maybe it defies theory, but it aligns with practice. Based on experience, especially in the north, many believe that neither the current nor any future move by the authorities will serve their interests.

“With every move, Kurti tries to show that Serbia no longer has anything on Kosovo,” says Slobodan Zecevic from the Institute for European Studies.

Some old ties hinder international relations. Others ought to be strengthened. But even in diplomacy, as recent regional statements show, logic is not always the guiding principle.

“There are people in the Montenegrin government who think the proof of Montenegro’s sovereignty and independence is to poke Serbia in the eye,” explains historian Bogdan Zivkovic to Kosovo Online, describing some diplomatic maneuvers.

When politicians write history, perspective, and the future, and witnesses sketch trials and the accused, justice ends up in a long queue. Still, some eventually reach it. This week, justice caught up with Gavrilo Milosavljevic.

“It’s truly a shame and disgrace that he spent so many years in detention proving his innocence,”
says his defense attorney Nebojsa Vlajic.

“But we’re satisfied that we proved it,” he adds.

Many are ready to prove guilt even when no one has been charged. Witnesses at a trial in absentia will recall what was and what wasn’t 26 years ago.

“These witnesses behave in court as if they’re on the street. They’re looking at their phones, showing no interest, and so on. I won’t allow that,” announces lawyer Milka Milosavljevic.

Obligations and logic don’t depend on the season, but summer heat shifts citizens' priorities. Unresolved questions will be set aside for a while, replaced by seasonal decisions.

How and where to go on vacation? That, at least, seems logical—for now.