Besic: Negotiations should be stopped, it is clear that neither Pristina nor the EU has the political will

Professor Milos Besic from the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade believes that after a series of unsuccessful meetings in Brussels and new conditions set by Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti, the negotiations on normalizing relations should be stopped because it is clear that neither Pristina nor the EU has the political will to conclude them.

"I think those negotiations simply need to be stopped. It is very clear that there is no political will for negotiations. It is very clear that Mr. Kurti's sole goal and strategy is an independent Kosovo at any cost, without making any compromises or concessions. And it is very clear that what we call intermediaries, international mediators in the negotiations, are actually on the side of an independent Kosovo. So, there is no doubt that the Quint countries and all key EU countries support Kosovo's independence and are doing everything they can to pressure Serbia so that Kosovo gains that independence," Besic told Kosovo Online.

He assesses that Serbia's leadership is aware that there are no real negotiations, but that its position at this moment is forced.

"I understand Serbia's participation in all these negotiations, not because it has the will, desire, intention, or belief that this issue can be resolved, but simply due to a lack of choice and just to show some good will, so it cannot be said that Serbia refuses to negotiate. But I think the Serbian state leadership very clearly understands that there are no negotiations and that nothing can happen that would not be to Serbia's detriment. Therefore, you have to continue those negotiations, but without any hope that they will lead in any constructive direction," Besic said.

He does not expect that the new European administration could present a better strategy than the current one.

"They have a very clear strategy. They have a strategy to simply go from negotiation to negotiation, and sooner or later one side or both sides, primarily Serbia, will lose patience and put an end to it. Do not forget, in the meantime, things are happening on the international political scene, and there are mechanisms of potential pressure that can be applied primarily on Serbia," Besic said.

He concludes that the key problem is that the Quint countries and the EU see the recognition of Kosovo by Serbia as the only outcome of the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina.

"The goal of these negotiations is for Serbia to recognize Kosovo. Sometimes it is said de facto, but it is recognition of Kosovo. So, that is the goal of these negotiations. That goal is held by the Quint countries, the EU countries, and those who mediate. Their goal is very one-sided, unipolar, in the interest of Kosovo, and they will continue these negotiations constantly using new mechanisms and arguments to pressure Serbia. It is very clear what is happening here," Besic said.