Pacarizi: Direct negotiations are impossible as long as Serbia does not recognize Kosovo

Political analyst Rahman Pacarizi does not believe that direct dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade is possible and argues that such a format would not be productive.

Commenting on the statement by former U.S. diplomat James Hooper that Kosovo could achieve smaller but highly important goals through direct negotiations with Serbia—and that Kosovo should consider whether direct talks with Serbia would be in its best interest or if a better agreement could be secured with U.S. involvement—Pacarizi told Kosovo Online that U.S. participation in the dialogue is essential and that Washington should have a central role.

He also noted that the European Union has not proven to be a factor capable of compelling the two sides to reach an agreement.

Pacarizi believes that direct negotiations are not feasible because Serbia does not recognize Kosovo.

"If one side does not recognize the other, then the dialogue is not equal, the two sides are not on equal footing, and that makes negotiations impossible. Additionally, the history between Serbia and Kosovo does not create a favorable position or situation for any agreement to be reached between the two sides," he explained.

If the United States were to act as a mediator in the dialogue, Pacarizi believes that an agreement could be expected.

"This was already demonstrated five years ago at the Washington meeting mediated by Donald Trump, where a very significant agreement was reached, putting the economy at the center so that both sides could benefit from American investments and achieve some form of agreement. I believe that this is the only way to reach an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia," Pacarizi concluded.