Nedeljkovic: The Return of Serbs to Kosovo is an Example of the Longest Refugee Crisis in the World

The Executive Director of the Citizens' Association Initiative for Development and Cooperation (IDC), Miodrag Nedeljkovic, assesses that the process of the return of Serbs to Kosovo is one of the examples of the longest refugee crisis in the world, which is now in its "final phase."

"This is one of the examples of the longest, most prolonged refugee crisis in the world, in our case, a displaced persons crisis. I think there is no case in the world where the displaced persons crisis has been this prolonged, and worst of all, it will remain in this status quo. I believe that 99 percent of these people will not return because, for various reasons, they have integrated, moved to other states, abroad: The young people are no longer attracted to return there. So, unfortunately, except for some organizations and some donors, few are striving to continue this process," emphasizes Nedeljkovic for Kosovo Online.

His organization is among the few that still try to enable the return of displaced persons through various international programs, but he admits that it is very difficult and there are many reasons for this.

"The return process, unfortunately, is in its final phase, I fear. Many people, many factors, many different important stakeholders are trying to keep the process alive. From various agencies, even state bodies, the European delegation in Belgrade, everyone is trying to keep this process from dying out. Unfortunately, we believe that this project is close to its end. Very few people are returning. We, civil society organizations involved in return projects, are still trying to keep this project alive. But, by all indications, it is not easy. Fewer and fewer people are interested, fewer and fewer people are attracted to it, and more and more people see sustainable staying here, integration, and less reintegration back to where they came from," says Nedeljkovic.

His organization has implemented several return projects so far, and he explains that the process is very difficult because it requires aligning many factors.

"The process is very difficult because different factors need to align. Not just the decisions of the person or family to return to Kosovo and Metohija, but you have to find a way to cross the administrative line with the items you have provided for them, furniture, things to start their own business," explains Nedeljkovic.

When asked where Serbs mainly return, he emphasizes that it is still exclusively Serbian enclaves.

"In the Kosovo Pomoravlje region, it still seems that there is a possibility for people to return. But, unfortunately, over 90 percent of the territory of Kosovo and Metohija remains uninhabited by returnees, and those who have returned, unfortunately, I think many have regretted it," admits Nedeljkovic.

Asked how much the authorities in Pristina (do not) contribute to the return, the director of IDC says that politics should be completely excluded when it comes to return.

"Our mission is to bring together all the people who influence this. Even some Pristina institutions, the Ministry for Return and Communities which belongs to the Pristina institutions but works for Serbs, honestly speaking. Without them, without international organizations in Kosovo, without international organizations in the territory of central Serbia, this matter is completely impossible. Without administrative cooperation of people from the Kosovo side, the Pristina side, and the Serbian side, the return is impossible. So we often have to make that kind of compromise and cooperate with those who do not want to, to make the return successful. Unfortunately, there are fewer and fewer such cases," concludes Nedeljkovic.