Maliqi: Brussels seeking new mechanisms for dialogue and implementation of agreements

Political analyst Shkëlzen Maliqi stated that the European Union is exploring new modalities not only for continuing the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina but also for ensuring the implementation of agreements reached so far.

“The EU insists that an agreement has been reached, that it has international validity, and that both sides are obligated to fulfill their commitments. But, having observed how both parties have behaved over the past four or five years during negotiations, they are likely now searching for new mechanisms. However, due to the current global geopolitical climate, they are not pressing the issue too strongly at this moment,” Maliqi explained.

He also questioned the legitimacy of the current Pristina negotiating team in Brussels, considering the government is in a caretaker capacity.

“We don’t really know whether they are legitimate or not. According to Kosovo’s own laws, they are not, because the entire government has resigned and most of them are also MPs. They should have chosen—either remain as a provisional government or serve as MPs. They could have refused their mandates, but they didn’t. They wanted to have it both ways. That’s their mentality—they believe they alone should hold power,” Maliqi commented.

He emphasized that the EU is seeking new formats for dialogue because the current situation on the ground is not a viable solution.

“The situation on the ground may give the impression that the matter is resolved, that Serbia has accepted it, and that the local Serbs have been left to their fate. But I don’t believe that can hold. It’s not a solution—what was agreed must be implemented,” Maliqi stated.

He added that the biggest uncertainty lies in what exactly is meant by the “European plan,” particularly in regard to the formation of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities (CSM).

According to Maliqi, while there may have been a general agreement, the specifics—particularly the scope of its competences—remain unclear.

“It was likely agreed in principle, but it still needs to pass the review of the Constitutional Court. Ten years ago, the Court found the original proposal to be generally acceptable but noted some objections concerning the wording and implementation. It’s likely that this time as well there will be provisions that both parties interpret differently. Still, the Association should be established so that we can move forward toward improved relations,” he said.

Maliqi concluded that it is in everyone’s interest to resolve the issue as soon as possible, given that all sides ultimately aspire to join the European Union.

“The EU is not perfect, but at least it provides a framework where some of the concerns harbored by those inclined toward ethnic or nationalistic statehood can be addressed constructively,” he concluded.