Maliqi: London has clear political views on the Kosovo crisis, but is not the "main player" in the dialogue

Political analyst from Pristina, Shkelzen Maliqi, believes that nothing special should be expected from the new special envoy of the United Kingdom for the Western Balkans, Karen Pierce, because although the country is interested in this region and has a clear political stance on the Kosovo crisis, it is not the "main player" in the dialogue process between Belgrade and Pristina.

"They are part of the Quint, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and have always had clear views on the Kosovo crisis, although they are not the main player. That is Brussels. The main thing now is that perhaps over the summer or expedited attempts will be made to start implementing the 'Ohrid-Brussels agreement'," Maliqi told Kosovo Online.

He notes that initially, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić delayed this due to elections and "his calculations," and then Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti was "allegedly ready to sign" what was agreed in Ohrid.

"For the EU, this verbal agreement is recorded as an agreement between two sides, as a valid international document. They will try to capitalize on this and probably will have the support of Trump and the American administration to close this issue and move forward, in forming the Community of Serb Municipalities and at the same time implementing all other agreements that have long been signed," emphasized Maliqi.

He points out that the role of the new special envoy for the Western Balkans, Karen Pierce, should primarily be viewed through British interest in the region.

"The English have always been interested in the Balkans and have always had strong representatives. The first mediator in the dialogue was Catherine Ashton. In a way, she was the most successful so far," the analyst recalls. Asked about his expectations from the new special envoy Katrin Pierce regarding the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Maliqi says he doesn’t have much expectation, but still expects her to be of help.

"Nothing special should be expected, but the English have always been skilled diplomats and will probably be of help," said Maliqi.