Pavkovic: No significant progress or changes on the ground following Sorensen’s visit

The Director of Strategy at the Center for European Policies in Belgrade, Milos Pavkovic, stated for Kosovo Online that the visit of the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade–Pristina Dialogue, Peter Sorensen, did not bring about any substantial progress. He noted that messages emphasizing the need to implement previously undertaken obligations have been heard before, yet without concrete results on the ground.

“We have often received such messages, after each of Sorensen’s visits, as well as those of his predecessor Lajcák—that there must be insistence on the implementation of agreements and undertaken obligations. Unfortunately, not much has actually happened. It seems to me that this visit followed a similar tone and took place somewhat in the background. Everything proceeded in standard diplomatic language, without any promising changes. Clearly, something is being awaited. What that ‘something’ is—whether a high-level meeting involving Vucic, Kurti, and Kaja Kallas as the EU’s High Representative, or something else entirely—remains to be seen. But it appears that this visit has not brought any significant change, nor a path toward change,” Pavkovic stated.

He explained that Belgrade continues to insist on the establishment of the Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities, whereas for Pristina this is not a priority. In his view, this visit is unlikely to alter that dynamic. He also added that he is not optimistic that the new government in Pristina will introduce significant changes regarding the dialogue.

In addition to meeting Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Sorensen also met with Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Glauk Konjufca, who stated that the dialogue will henceforth be conducted under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo—an announcement which, according to Pavkovic, carries a message in itself.

“It is no secret that Pristina views Belgrade as a neighboring state, and this opportunity is now being used to further emphasize that message, which is, in a way, primarily a provocation for Belgrade. The EU is status-neutral, yet it seems to me that they have, to some extent, ignored such messages so far. Konjufca is a pragmatic and flexible politician, and it seems to me that, although he comes from Self-Determination, which is itself quite rigid, compared to Bislimi there may be room for maneuver to improve something in the dialogue, to make certain changes, and to move toward implementation,” Pavkovic added.

Pavkovic believes that the change of Pristina’s chief negotiator could also represent an opportunity for dialogue.

“It will depend on many other circumstances—developments within the dialogue itself, relations between Belgrade and Pristina, and the broader global context. By stating that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now in charge of the dialogue with Belgrade, framing it as an issue of good-neighborly relations, the question of the Serbian community and the rights of Serbs in Kosovo is being marginalized. On the other hand, Konjufca as a politician is far more flexible, and space may emerge for certain shifts. However, we should not rush to such conclusions. Let us see what time will bring,” Pavkovic concluded.