Mitic: Hungary's move is crucially important because it shows that the constellation of forces within the EU is not set by Pristina's agenda

Hungary made an extremely important political move that further delegitimizes Albin Kurti's attempt to create the perception that things are over, that the status of Kosovo has been resolved, and that it is only a matter of time when Kosovo will be admitted to the UN and the EU, Sputnik reports.

This is Hungary's position, that despite the fact that it recognized Kosovo's independence in 2008, it will not support its application for EU membership, as reported by Serbia's top government, comments Aleksandar Mitic from the Institute for International Politics and Economy.

"Hungary's move is crucially important because it shows that the constellation of forces within the EU is not focused on Pristina. Namely, there is no consensus by which the country members supported this idea, despite the spectacular announcements of Albin Kurti that on December 15 he will officially submit a request for the admission of this quasi-state to the EU," says Mitic.

Budapest with Belgrade

At the same time, on this occasion, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, sent individual letters to the leaders of five European Union countries - Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, Romania and Spain, which do not recognize Kosovo.

"Hungary has practically changed its approach to the issue of further legitimization of Kosovo in international organizations, opposing the further procedure that would lead to the granting of the candidate status of the so-called Kosovo. Although it is not obliged, it has sided with Belgrade, which is largely the result of the excellent ties between Belgrade and Budapest," Mitic explains.

The request is not under the radar

He considers it an important move by Belgrade to appeal to the non-recognizing countries not to allow the Kosovo application presented by Albin Kurti to pass under the radar and reach the European Commission through one administrative route, after which the issue would practically be resolved at its own pace.

The application does not necessarily mean that the European Commission would propose that Kosovo receive candidate status, but strong resistance from non-recognizing countries is very important if a specific request is to be considered at the meeting of ambassadors.

"The Czech Republic must, whatever that document is, present it at the meeting of EU ambassadors. If there is opposition at that meeting from non-recognisers, including Hungary, it makes it impossible to continue the procedure in a normal way, as was the case with Serbia, the countries of the region and other candidates", he adds.

Serbia is not bound by anything

It is very important, Mitic assesses, to work on collapsing the perception that Albin Kurti is trying to create, which implies a settled status of Kosovo.

"It should be constantly repeated that the fact that Pristina and the Kosovo Albanians declared independence in 2008, which was supported by some or most EU countries, absolutely does not bind Serbia or the non-recognisers, let alone the rest of the world. As we know, there are those who believe that "Kosovo and Metohija is part of the Republic of Serbia," Mitic assesses.

Hungary as a flywheel?

Regarding whether the Hungarian position could be a flywheel for other member states that have recognized an independent Kosovo, Mitic says that he does not see any major changes within the EU in such circumstances, but that it is quite enough that there are five non-recognizing countries plus Hungary. If the circumstances were different, a change in the course of some other EU members could be expected.

"There are strong opposition forces in a number of countries that are even in ruling coalitions, and which, if they were in power, would act differently. We will see what will happen in the presidential elections in the Czech Republic, which will not be decisive for the attitude towards the so-called Kosovo, but which can change the atmosphere. One of the presidential candidates is Andrei Babish, who met with both Orban and Vucic and who might be willing to help Serbia," he says.

Mitic concludes that we must be satisfied with the Hungarian decision and the consistency of the non-recognisers to remain firm in their position, which, he says, is both sufficient and important.