Summary of the week 9

April was complicated, with Kosovo being a topic of discussion in many global centers. This led us into May, which seemingly won't be much different. Weeks pass, politicians meet, meetings are held, but problems remain. ATMs are scarce, and there's been no dinar available for a full three months. This was just one issue that remained unresolved this week.

As the old week ends and a new month begins, we are reviewing and rewinding to see how people worked and where to go from here. Regarding the frequently asked question about Miroslav Lajčak's achievements as a mediator, his spokesperson responded:

"It's not fair to portray the failure of the dialogue as Lajcak's defeat. He did the best he could," said Peter Stano.

More could have been achieved, but it required the cooperation of all parties, which was lacking, laments Brussels.

In other places, cooperation between central and local authorities in Kosovo appears obvious at first glance. This week, Kosovo's Prime Minister Kurti attended the ceremonial handover of newly built apartments in Suvi Do. He thanked everyone who helped with the project and praised the cooperation with Gracanica.

"We believe in the power of such collaboration," said Albin Kurti.

However, it is unusual that this collaboration required sufficient distance between partners, at least two weeks. Just 15 days earlier, the Gracanica municipality president handed over those same apartments to residents.

Sometimes, even a distance of several decades isn't enough to calm passions, alleviate pain, or lessen anger, as confirmed by the meetings preceding the one that will discuss the Srebrenica Resolution.

Serbia's Foreign Minister Marko Djuric called for the text and intentions to be reconsidered once more.

"Let's work together," Djuric urged at the United Nations. "Let's bring justice to everyone. We need time for wounds to heal," he appealed.

Instead of collaboration, it now seems more likely that some currently good relationships could deteriorate.

Sociologist Vladimir Vuletic noted the regional countries' approach to the Srebrenica issue and said he wasn't surprised.

"It's easier for our neighbors to cross Serbia than to upset America," said Vuletic.

This week also featured the traditional grievances of unions against the government and employers, counting who stayed and who already left. Everyone in the region agrees that too many have gone.

President of the Kosovo Business Alliance Agim Shahini noted that the results were expected given the lack of strategies to retain workers.

"In Kosovo," Shahini said, "we have labor in all professions, and at the same time, we're missing all of them."

Those with jobs are missing money they've earned, which has been unavailable for three months now. The lack is even more evident on days when holiday shopping needs to happen.

"We're not buying anything. There are no dinars, no money, no euros. We sit and wait," said one woman from Strpce we spoke to.

Some aren't waiting and have headed to Serbia, either for money or a break. The holiday start caught them in a line at Jarinje.

There were also lines going the other way. Many came this week, believing that Easter in Kosovo has a special symbolism.