Barac: Dialogue with Kurti impossible; Serbia should negotiate with the State Department and Brussels

Srdjan Barac from the Center for Social Stability states that the dialogue in Brussels has become a marathon process, benefiting Albin Kurti but not the Serbs in Kosovo, who face daily pressures. He believes that the talks should be conducted with guarantors – namely, the State Department and Brussels.

"Looking back from 2013 to today, we’ve used this time to strengthen economically and improve our geopolitical position. But on the other hand, this situation benefits Albin Kurti, as it does not suit the Serbs living in Kosovo and Metohija. They face daily economic pressures, and even endure physical violence, legal harassment, and psychological abuse. This delay in the process does not favor them," Barac says.

He emphasizes that the people in Kosovo bear the greatest burden due to this situation, prompting Serbia to take significant steps, such as declaring Kosovo a special area for social protection.

"The pressures faced by Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija threaten to escalate into a social catastrophe for the Serbian population. The unemployed have minimal chances of finding appropriate jobs. Pensioners also need assistance, and the Republic of Serbia will bear a considerable burden to meet this need. Financial support and substantial assistance are essential to show that they are not alone, that the Republic of Serbia cares for them and is prepared to respond to any form of pressure created by Albin Kurti," he explains.

Barac criticizes the international community's "deafening silence."

"We can say it is almost deafeningly silent. It remains silent, as if unable, particularly Brussels, to influence Albin Kurti, which is hard for us to believe. That is why I believe the United Nations or the Security Council is the right stage. We need to return there because it was precisely in the UN Security Council in 1999 that this chain reaction began, where international actors stopped measuring their strength in the diplomatic international arena of the United Nations and began to measure it on the ground with military boots and weapons," Barac says.

He explains that the Security Council has the power, ability, and tools to make a concrete difference on the ground.

"First and foremost, to halt Albin Kurti’s actions, which entail actual and factual control over northern Kosovo and Metohija and the expulsion of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija," he says.

He adds that dialogue with Kurti has proven impossible and that Serbia should conduct talks with representatives of the State Department and Brussels.

"Above all, this concerns the implementation of Resolution 1244, the Military-Technical Agreement signed in Kumanovo, and the Brussels Agreement. These are the issues that need to be discussed with the guarantors. And the guarantors are precisely the Security Council, the United Nations, and Brussels, as they are responsible for delivering on the promises of these agreements, promises that have not been fulfilled for the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija," Barac concludes.