Maloku: Neither Belgrade nor Pristina can change the way the dialogue is conducted

In recent days, voices from the Self-Determination Movement have called for a reform of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. On this matter, political scientist from Pristina, Albinot Maloku, tells Kosovo Online that he does not see that either side, Serbia or Kosovo, has the capacity and ability to change the course and manner in which the dialogue in Brussels is conducted.

"The dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, which started in 2011, has its own course. Initially, it was explained to have a technical connotation, later it became political, and now it includes both political and economic issues. The European Union, as the facilitator of this process, has the greatest influence on the dialogue, and neither party has the possibility to change it. The parties can obstruct the dialogue or halt it for some period, but they cannot change its course or the needs arising from this dialogue," says Maloku.

Asked whether Borut Pahor, as a new mediator in the dialogue, could bring new energy that would advance the process, our interlocutor suggests that the new mediator should be someone from a larger and stronger EU country.

"Pahor is a man who has had a distinguished career, and he has made some decisions that were of great importance for the relations between Slovenia and Croatia. However, based on the needs of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, I think the mediator should be someone else, from a country with a stronger policy within the EU, not someone from Slovenia," says Maloku.