The long-running dispute between Kosovo and Serbia was a major driver of conflict in the Balkans in the 1990s and led to the separation of Kosovo (with its ethnic Albanian majority) from Serbia at the end of that decade. Belgrade and Pristina have never normalised relations with each other, with Serbia continuing to refuse to recognise Kosovo’s independence. The sharpest point of friction today is the level of self-rule in the four northern Kosovo municipalities, home to a Serb majority, and their connection to Serbia. Violent protests have occurred repeatedly since 2021. Crisis Group closely watches developments in the region and recommends ways to foster dialogue that could help avert violence and eventually lead to normalised relations.
This week on War & Peace, Olga Oliker speaks with Marko Prelec, Crisis Group’s consulting senior Western Balkans analyst, about the latest flare-up of tensions in northern Kosovo, what it means for the prospect of normalisation between Belgrade and Pristina and the potential for further escalation.
Govt efforts to fully integrate Serb-majority north continued, while President Osmani announced parliamentary elections would take place in February 2025.
Pristina took further steps toward fully integrating Serb-majority north. PM Kurti 2 Aug presented govt plan to open central Ibar bridge, which connects Serb-dominated north and Albanian south of Mitrovica city, during briefing to representatives from Quint (U.S., UK, Germany, France, Italy) and EU ambassadors. Days later, hundreds of Kosovo Serbs 7 Aug gathered near bridge to protest plans, citing security concerns. U.S. Ambassador Jeff Hovenier 13 Aug warned move “increases the threat […] for the local community, but also for NATO soldiers”. Police 5 Aug closed nine Serbian Post offices amid Pristina’s efforts to push out Belgrade-backed institutions and end use of Serbian dinar for cash transactions; EU same day urged govt to “reconsider its decision”, calling for “negotiated solution” within EU-facilitated Dialogue. Govt 30 Aug announced closure of five “illegal parallel institutions” in north, prompting U.S. embassy same day to express “disappointment with [govt’s] continuing uncoordinated actions” and said “issues related to Serbia-supported structures in Kosovo should be dealt with through the EU-facilitated Dialogue”.
In another important development. President Osmani 16 Aug announced parliamentary elections for 9 Feb 2025.
Kosovo is winning the battle for control of its rebellious north, while hopes for normalisation between Pristina and Belgrade are fading .
There’s just zero trust [between Kosovo and Serbia] and active hostility on both sides.
Tensions are rising in Kosovo’s restive Serb-majority north, as Pristina enforces its writ against the backdrop of continuing disputes with Belgrade. The parties and outside supporters should first work on defusing the short-term risk of violence and then look for ways to foster lasting stability.
Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have soared since 2021, with protests in Kosovo’s northern municipalities at Pristina’s assertions of authority. In this excerpt from the Watch List 2024, Crisis Group encourages the EU to foster bilateral dialogue aimed at normalising relations.
In late May, violent protests broke out in Kosovo’s four northernmost municipalities, where Serbs form the majority. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Marko Prelec explains what caused the unrest and what should be done to defuse tensions.
Kosovo-Serbia relations have floundered in recent months, reflecting underlying tensions over Kosovo’s northern municipalities. In this excerpt from the Watch List 2023 – Spring Update, Crisis Group encourages the EU to mediate and promote normalisation of relations between the two countries.
This week on War & Peace, Olga Oliker talks to Crisis Group expert Marko Prelec about the precarious situation in the Western Balkans, as Serb separatism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the frozen Kosovo-Serbia dispute continue to stoke regional instability.
This week on War & Peace, Crisis Group’s Balkan expert Marko Prelec joins Olga Oliker and Hugh Pope to discuss why the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue has stalled, why the status quo is untenable and how to change it.
Online Event to discuss Crisis Group's report "Relaunching the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue", in which we discussed what currently stands in the way of a new status quo and what it will take to relaunch the process with the Pristina elections in view.
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