Pavkovic: Pristina's negative attitude towards the Serbian Government; Djuric can use contacts to strengthen Belgrade's position

Milos Pavkovic from the Center for European Policy tells Kosovo Online that he does not expect significant changes in Belgrade's attitude towards the dialogue with Pristina, regardless of the fact that the new Government of Serbia has a different composition than the previous one, because it is the President of the Republic who leads the dialogue at a high political level.

"It's interesting that in the new government lineup, we have several individuals who were former directors of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, namely Marko Djuric and Aleksandar Vulin. There is also Milica Djurdjevic Stamenkovski, who has a very firm stance towards Kosovo, holding a position and role in the new government. However, the President of the Republic dictates the pace and dynamics of progress in the dialogue, regardless of who is in the ministries or who is the director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija," Pavkovic says.

Regarding Djuric, who, as Pavkovic emphasizes, had made extremely good contacts and ties in America during his previous position as ambassador to the US, he could have a positive influence on strengthening Belgrade's position in the dialogue.

"Djuric may be able to use his connections and experience to help Serbia in the dialogue and in building positions towards normalization. He can have a positive influence in lobbying Western partners, particularly the US, especially when doing so from the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. However, there is certainly no room for maneuvering to change the positions of Western countries regarding Kosovo's status. They simply recognized Kosovo as an independent state, and there should be no illusions that this stance can change," Pavkovic notes.

He adds that Milica Djurdjevic Stamenkovski will not have a substantive impact on the dialogue, nor can her ministry enable that, but her role will be important in conveying messages to public opinion on this topic.

Regarding how Pristina views the new cabinet in Belgrade, our interlocutor says their stance is extremely negative, primarily due to the election of Milos Vucevic as prime minister and the fact that Vulin is back in the government.

"They have animosity towards these individuals and will certainly view this government in a hostile manner. But that is nothing new for Pristina, we are used to their aversion, especially during Albin Kurti's mandate. Anyone in the government in Belgrade is highly likely to be viewed extremely negatively by Albin Kurti's administration, and when Vulin and Vucevic are there, it increases that dose of animosity. They look at Vucevic with a special level of suspicion due to his tenure as defense minister, during which there were incidents like Banjska and various movements of the Serbian Army along the administrative line, which is why he is remembered in Pristina as an extremely unfavorable actor," Pavkovic says.