Bisevac: Sorensen has EU support to unblock dialogue, but much effort will be needed

The messages conveyed yesterday by Peter Sorensen, the European Union's Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, to the authorities in Pristina, that the dialogue has no alternative and must be unblocked as soon as possible, are entirely expected, according to Nemanja Bisevac, a member of the presidency of the Serb List. He adds that, although Sorensen is an experienced diplomat, it will take significant effort to unblock the dialogue and steer it in the right direction.

According to Bisevac, Sorensen likely has stronger support from the European Union than his predecessor, Miroslav Lajcak, to unblock the dialogue. However, he notes that the authorities in Pristina have shown in the past that they are not at all willing to engage in dialogue, despite the fact that Belgrade has fulfilled all the requirements placed upon it over the past 12 years.

“I believe that, despite Mr. Sorensen’s diplomatic experience, a great deal of effort will be needed to unblock the dialogue and move it in the right direction. We have seen that he also held meetings with opposition leaders, which suggests that even the European Union does not have a clear vision of who will be in power in Pristina,” Bisevac stated.

He also points out that what immediately caught the attention of the Serbian people in Kosovo regarding Sorensen’s first visit was its timing, March 17, a date deeply etched in the collective memory of the Serbian people as one of their most tragic.

Compared to Lajcak, Bisevac observes that Sorensen appears to have more energy, although he cautions that this may simply be initial enthusiasm, and it remains to be seen how the situation will develop.

“When Sorensen visits Belgrade, his messages will likely be the same as those in Pristina. However, based on past experiences, he will probably be harsher towards Belgrade, even though Belgrade has done everything possible to keep the dialogue alive and, to some extent, still in existence,” Bisevac concluded.