Cakolli: Dialogue in a state of lethargy, new energy with a new government and a new mediator

Until the elections on February 9th, just as it has been in recent months, the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia will remain in a state of lethargy, and this means that even if meetings between the two sides occur, they will only take place formally, Eugen Cakolli from the Kosovo Democratic Institute says for Kosovo Online. He adds that he does not expect concrete results because neither side is willing to use the dialogue as a platform for resolving issues.

He points out that past experience has shown that when a government enters the final phase of its mandate, there is practically no reason for the parties to sit and talk. Therefore, he does not expect any new agreement or step forward in the dialogue, at least until the middle of next year, since the formation of a government in Kosovo, as he mentions, usually takes weeks, if not months, after the elections.

"Calling a meeting after elections have been announced, knowing that no major issues will be resolved, is just a formality. Although the mandate of the current EU mediator in the dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, has been extended until the beginning of next year, I do not expect any concrete results. Even if meetings occur, I expect them to be between the chief negotiators or technical teams, not between Prime Minister Kurti and President Vucic together, because I don't see anything concrete that the parties could agree on. However, the visit of the CIA Director could change the dynamics, as it has once again demonstrated American commitment to the region and peace and stability in these areas," Cakolli says.

When asked whether the dialogue will actually be frozen until the elections in Kosovo and the US are concluded and until a new EU mediator in the dialogue is appointed, Cakolli says that regarding the new mediator, he expects Borut Pahor to take on that role, as it seems there could be such an agreement.

"The extension of Lajcak's mandate until next year, in my opinion, is a sign that the EU wants a new perspective and a new spirit in the dialogue after the formation of the government in Kosovo and after the formation of a new administration in the US. I believe they are waiting for the right moment for new energy – a new mediator, a possible new president in the US, a new government, regardless of whether it will be led by Kurti or not, although everything indicates that he will be the next prime minister," Cakolli emphasizes.