Milivojevic: Ohrid will not bring progress, only additional pressure on Belgrade

No tangible result should be expected from the upcoming meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Ohrid, mediated by the EU, but only continued pressure on Serbia, diplomat Zoran Milivojevic assessed for Kosovo Online.

"We should not have any expectations for two reasons, first is that Serbia will not give up its national and state goals and interests and that there is no discussion without the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, not as a topic for discussion, but as full implementation of what was agreed upon. Second, I don't see the other side – and I see the mediators and Pristina as the other side because they have the same goal – giving up their goals and interests. When it comes to Kurti and the Pristina side, it is a conversation only about recognition, and when it comes to the EU, the conversation is about the European plan, which goes towards recognition," Milivojevic explained.

He, therefore, does not expect that the summit in Ohrid, announced for the following weekend, will result in any significant progress but that it will be a continuation of the previous meeting held in Brussels.

"There won't be anything tangible, but the pressure will grow because things are getting complicated on the global stage. If Xi Jinping goes to Moscow now, then the nervousness in the West will grow, as will the pressure on Serbia. They are reactivating pressure regarding sanctions against Russia again now, so everything is clear," Milivojevic concluded.