Maliqi: The solution for Serbian institutions should be sought in Brussels, agreements already exist

Political analyst Shkelzen Maliqi stated that all solutions regarding the fate of Serbian institutions in Kosovo should be sought in Brussels, and assessed that most of the agreements have already been reached, but that political will is needed to complete the normalization process.

“I don’t know the technical details of what exactly was agreed in the Brussels Agreement and what wasn’t, there are various versions, but I know that almost all agreements were reached in Brussels and signed. Maybe two or three were not; they just need to be reviewed. What is needed now is simply the will to complete the process,” Maliqi told Kosovo Online.

According to him, the normalization process cannot be completed until a decision is made on what he called the most important question, whether Serbia will recognize Kosovo de jure, de facto, or not at all.

“And whether the Kosovo and Serbian sides will implement the agreement that was reached verbally, as well as whether Brussels is in a position to continue this process. There is no other option. It cannot all start over from the beginning,” Maliqi clarified.

This analyst claims that the continuation of the dialogue will depend on an agreement regarding Ukraine.

He is convinced that such a resolution will also help settle many other unresolved issues globally, including the Kosovo question.

“It is not just about Ukraine and Kosovo, there are around twenty other countries, including about ten Arab nations in the Middle East that are in disarray after wars, like Syria. So, a solution needs to be found for such situations,” Maliqi said.

He emphasizes that the CSM should also be formed, since it is part of an existing agreement.

“In northern Kosovo, Serbs are the majority, and they will have to have some form of local self-government, whatever it ends up being called. The Community of Serb Municipalities was a compromise, and it is something that has been written in since the Ahtisaari Plan. The focus now is on practical solutions,” Maliqi noted.

He explains that the remaining issue is what powers the central authorities in Pristina will delegate to the Serbian community, but points out that some powers already exist within local municipalities.

“Municipalities in Kosovo have significant authority, they are not always dependent. For example, the school system in these other municipalities is under local self-government. If there is the will and desire, it can be done. Serbia is, in a way, under pressure, it must resolve its relationship with Kosovo if it wants to join the EU. But Vucic always sits on two chairs,” Maliqi said.