Ukaj: Lajcak will have minimal chances to bring Belgrade and Pristina back to dialogue

Political analyst Fidan Ukaj tells Kosovo Online that the EU's Special Envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, will have minimal chances of bringing both sides back to negotiations, given the many unfavorable circumstances.

"I think Mr. Lajcak's attempt to bring the parties back to the dialogue process is pointless at this moment, especially with the US in the midst of elections and Kosovo entering the dynamic months of its own electoral process following the announcement of the general election date. Additionally, Lajcak's term is set to end in January 2025, and it is unclear whether a new mediator will take over or if Kaja Kallas will lead the dialogue," Ukaj stated.

As he added, Lajcak's visit to Belgrade and Pristina seems more like an effort to justify his salary rather than a real attempt to revive the dialogue.

"I believe the obstacle stopping the dialogue process is the letter from former Prime Minister Brnabic to the EU, where she stated that Serbia would selectively implement agreements. Belgrade has also, at times, clearly shown a lack of interest in implementing the Brussels and Ohrid agreements, even denying in some cases that such an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia exists. Therefore, I think Lajcak’s chances of restarting the dialogue are minimal, as Serbia denies reaching any agreement, and Brnabic's letter to the EU makes it clear that Serbia is not interested in fulfilling bilateral agreements," Ukaj explained.

In his view, Kosovo's elections are also a barrier to progress.

"Kosovo is in an election process, and I don’t expect any success in the dialogue until after the elections. Moreover, trust in Lajcak has been lost, as he has been seen as biased toward Serbia, raising issues in the dialogue that were never requested but are internal matters of the Republic of Kosovo," Ukaj concluded.