Imeri: The Washington and Brussels Agreements can be implemented simultaneously

The United States could use the 2020 Washington Agreement as a framework for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, but much will depend on the relationship Donald Trump’s new administration establishes with the European Union and whether the EU-sponsored dialogue remains the primary platform or shifts partially to Washington. "That is the biggest question. If it’s the latter, we will have something new; if it’s the former, it seems there won’t be significant changes," said political analyst Visar Imeri in an interview with Kosovo Online.

Regarding which specific parts of the Washington Agreement might be revived with Trump’s return to the White House, Imeri explained that this largely depends on the composition of the new administration, which he predicts will be a mix of Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) supporters and traditional Republicans.

"It is still early to say how the new U.S. government will act, first towards Europe and NATO, and then towards the region. Miss Kallas stated that the dialogue conducted so far in Brussels and the agreement reached there will not change; it will remain the same framework and agreement, only needing implementation. Therefore, I do not expect significant changes in the dialogue process, but of course, Trump’s new administration will have more influence on how relations between Kosovo and Serbia will develop in the future," Imeri said.

Considering the individuals Trump has nominated for key foreign policy roles, Imeri believes there won’t be significant changes in U.S. foreign policy, with Trump likely focusing most changes domestically.

Addressing the Kosovo Prime Minister's statement that the 2022 Agreement on the Path to Normalization with Serbia should be implemented first, Imeri stated that he does not see any conflict between that and the Washington Agreement, as both can be implemented simultaneously.

"The Washington Agreement primarily addresses economic and infrastructure projects. It doesn’t deal with the political issues we face, while the Brussels Agreement is entirely political. Implementing the Washington Agreement doesn’t mean the Brussels Agreement can’t be implemented, particularly when it comes to establishing the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, de facto recognition, passport recognition, and other Brussels agreements. I understand that the Brussels Agreement is politically more important for the Kosovo government, but I don’t see any issue with implementing both agreements simultaneously, as long as the Washington Agreement remains as it was. Some provisions of the Washington Agreement don’t even deal with Kosovo-Serbia relations—Serbia has obligations unrelated to Kosovo, and Kosovo has provisions unrelated to Serbia," Imeri noted.

On the sections of the agreement addressing infrastructure, highways, and railway construction, Imeri emphasized the importance of creating more connections and joint infrastructure projects, as these represent investments in improved economic relations, which in turn benefit political relations in the region.

"The Washington Agreement does not conflict with the Berlin Process either, which focuses on joint trade and requires infrastructure such as railways, highways, and other networks. Full implementation of this agreement would benefit Kosovo, Serbia, and the entire region," Imeri concluded.