Maliqi: Difficult to predict Sorensen’s moves, but I believe he won’t miss the chance to "score a goal"

Political analyst Shkelzen Maliqi stated that it is difficult to predict the course of action of the new EU Special Envoy for Dialogue, Peter Sorensen, however, he believes that Sorensen could "score a goal" by exerting additional pressure on Belgrade and Pristina to finalize the normalization process.

"Many believe that the dialogue has essentially failed and that everything should start over. I don't think that is the case, and I don’t believe the EU will back down because there is a fundamental agreement, even though it hasn’t been signed, both sides have agreed to it, making it a valid international document," Maliqi told Kosovo Online.

He is convinced that the EU will insist on implementing the Ohrid Agreement.

"That is why both sides will be pressured to begin implementing the Ohrid Agreement, which also outlines the method of implementation. Now, I can’t predict how that process will unfold or whether new difficulties will arise. The situation in Serbia is tense, and here, in Kosovo, we are uncertain about the election outcome – whether Kurti will remain in power and continue playing his game that has lasted for three or four years. But I believe there is a chance for progress precisely because the situation has changed and because there is an awareness that this opportunity should be used to overcome a blockade that has lasted two or even ten years," Maliqi emphasized.

His optimism is also based on the fact that, although the dialogue issue remains unchanged, the key European actors are new.

"There is now a completely new European team. It is not just that Lajcak is gone, every other official is new as well. But the situation remains the same. Everything was agreed upon nearly two years ago, and now it should be finalized. First, Serbian elections delayed the resolution of the agreement. Now, it is the Kosovo elections. We will see the outcome very soon," Maliqi stated.

When asked what strategy to expect from the new EU special envoy and how it might differ from Miroslav Lajcak’s approach, Maliqi said that Sorensen’s planned approach remains to be seen.

"That is something we still need to see – what kind of dynamic he envisions. But I believe he won’t miss the chance to score a goal when the opportunity arises. Everything is mostly prepared. Will American assistance be necessary? Probably, but what kind of assistance remains a significant uncertainty," the analyst clarified.

He does not believe that Lajcak should be blamed for the stagnation of the dialogue but rather the reluctance of both Belgrade and Pristina.

With "a new person and new energy in the EU," this could change, Maliqi is convinced.

"Lajcak managed to achieve what has been accomplished so far. That is not a failure. The failure came from Belgrade and Pristina due to their hesitations and differing positions on what they wanted. They refused to implement the agreement due to internal issues. This is an opportunity for a new person with fresh energy to move things forward. Otherwise, the geostrategic situation is so complex and risky that I don’t see an alternative to at least stabilizing this region to some extent," Maliqi concluded.