Dvořák: Aggressive rhetoric harms Kosovo and its prospects

Czech Minister for European Affairs, Martin Dvořák, stated in an interview with Radio Free Europe that the aggressive rhetoric of Kosovo’s government is not a way to resolve issues, emphasizing that as long as politicians use hostility to score political points, no solution can be reached.

Dvořák stressed that while he does not like to criticize the Kosovo government and believes it is trying to do what it sees as best for the future of Kosovo, he is concerned about the political discourse.

“I’m referring to the aggressive rhetoric that has empowered the current leadership by presenting itself as a strong government protecting Kosovo through force. That worries me because I don’t believe it’s the right way to solve problems. It’s easy to provoke hatred. What’s needed is to calm the situation and send the message: ‘We are destined to live together. The Serbs will not disappear. And we are staying—maybe not forever, but for generations to come. We must find a way to live together.’” he said.

He recalled a powerful moment from his book Kosovo Under My Skin.

“In the village of Crkolez, where we were working to form a provisional municipal council, the bodyguard of my friend—the Albanian mayor—said: ‘We fought against the Serbs. They came and killed my children, my wife, my mother-in-law. And now I’m here, trying to negotiate how to live together.’ It was a powerful moment. There are Kosovars who sincerely seek coexistence. But as long as politicians exploit hostility for political gain, there can be no resolution,” the minister noted.

Dvořák observed that much has changed in Kosovo—except the mentality.

“People are still, in a sense, stuck in wartime or postwar thinking. There’s still a lot of hatred and frustration. I try to explain that the country must open its heart to a better future, to learn how to live with the Serbs. I know it’s complicated, but Kosovo is currently losing the position once held by previous governments—a position of openness, readiness for dialogue and coexistence,” he said.

The minister emphasized that where there is a will, there is a way—but currently, he sees no genuine will for an agreement on either side.

“This is the result of prolonged tensions and political rhetoric that’s persisted for years. I cannot imagine a Serbian or Kosovo politician saying, ‘We’ve decided to put an end to all conflicts and will now sit down to sincerely negotiate how to live together.’ Such a statement would be unacceptable to the public in both Serbia and Kosovo. That’s the problem: rhetoric and political messaging are still not leading to a real solution, or even the beginning of one. Both sides remain entrenched in rigid positions: ‘They are our enemies, we can’t negotiate, we can’t live with them. There is no other way.’ And the current atmosphere on both sides is far too tense and burdened. That’s why I think time will be needed,” he noted.

According to Dvořák, Kosovo’s chances of achieving EU candidate status are slim.

“This is a broader issue than just the dialogue with Serbia. There was once an idea to admit all six Western Balkan countries at once, but that has been abandoned. Now, the focus is on rewarding the ‘best performers’ and setting them as examples. Everyone agrees—until there is progress in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, there will be no breakthrough. Moreover, five EU member states still do not recognize Kosovo. This complicates your EU path. On the other hand, the war in Ukraine has strengthened the EU’s willingness to enlarge. We understand we need our neighbors close to us, to bring them in and keep them on our side. Personally, as an honorary citizen of Kosovo and a great friend of your country, I must say that the current situation is too complex for Kosovo to advance toward EU membership. First, you must find a way to live and communicate with Serbia, and then you can move on with the 'homework' on your path to the EU,” he underlined.

Commenting on the current failure to constitute Kosovo’s parliament, Dvořák said he doesn’t recall such a situation in the past 30 years.

“This shows that the situation in Kosovo is very, very fragile and complex. And I’m sorry to say this, but I see a lack of good will. I fondly remember my dear friends in Kosovo—sometimes a bit stubborn, right? And I think that’s exactly the case here. From my perspective as a foreigner: if a country cannot take a simple step like electing the Speaker of Parliament, how can it govern itself? How can it positively lead negotiations with Serbia, when the political rhetoric is anything but friendly? I understand that everyone is trying to gain public support. But sometimes, as a politician, you must do things that are not popular, but are necessary,” he said.

Dvořák concluded that the situation with the Speaker of Parliament illustrates a broader issue Kosovo faces.

“Sometimes Kosovo’s leaders need more good will to take positive steps and reach compromise. This is just a vote in the Assembly. Someone needs to do it. And it still isn’t happening. Thirty attempts to elect the Assembly leadership… That is a strong indication of the deeper issue—a lack of willingness to compromise. And compromise can be painful, but it is necessary in politics. I believe the situation in the Kosovo Assembly directly reflects the broader Kosovo-Serbia relationship: a lack of will for compromise. And compromise is essential,” the Czech minister concluded.