Markovic: The way Pristina takes away land in the north shows the absurdity in which the Serbs live

Political analyst Igor Markovic from North Mitrovica, speaking about the decision of the Government of Kosovo to reject all recommendations from the EU, OSCE, and the US Embassy regarding the expropriation of land in Leposavic and Zubin Potok, emphasizes that greater international pressure on Pristina could compel the Kosovo authorities to withdraw this controversial decision.

Markovic highlights that it is unbelievable that in the 21st century, there is a case where private land has been taken away from owners without any notification, which shows the absurdity of the current living conditions for Serbs in northern Kosovo.

"What is crucial to emphasize is that international pressure must be stronger, considering the decision was so paradoxical that citizens in the north were invited to participate in a public discussion about an expropriation process that had already been concluded. The Kosovo Government decided to unlawfully confiscate private property and then called upon citizens to participate in a discussion that made no sense. In this regard, the international community's recommendations in this form were too mild," he said.

Markovic believes that if international pressure increases in the coming period, Pristina may reconsider the expropriation decision.

"If international pressure in a broad context becomes stronger in the coming period, I believe Pristina will change the expropriation decision. I fear that currently Brussels and Washington may not have enough, informally put, either 'carrots' or 'sticks' to persuade Pristina to change the current decision," Markovic emphasizes.