Opposition parties in Kosovo argue that talks between Pristina and Belgrade have not benefited Kosovo. Opposition representatives say that while many issues have remained unresolved, the process is strengthening Serbs in Kosovo and that there is lack of readiness to implement the agreements in practice.
Vjosa Osmani, member of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), said Pristina was not prepared for talks, “and the final outcome is proof of this”. “Many issues in the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia could have benefited Kosovo if the latter was better prepared to negotiate for its own interests. This was the biggest problem. Another problem is the implementation of the agreement in practice. Kosovo has shown great readiness to implement all points of the agreements, at times even going beyond what was promised, whereas Serbia has failed to show the same level of readiness. This shows that Kosovo needs to be more vigilant and not take unilateral steps during the implementation of the agreement,” Osmani said.
Ahmet Isufi, deputy leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), said continued dialogue with Serbia is meaningless if Belgrade does not implement the agreements, “because Kosovo’s interests are being damaged”.
“Kosovo has lost more in the process, because talks focused on Kosovo’s internal affairs and there were no talks about the damages that Serbia has inflicted on Kosovo, such as missing persons, cadastral documents that are still held in Serbia, artifacts, many elements that Serbia had to implement including the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. The approach of the Serbian Government has weakened Kosovo’s position because it has furthered illusions among Serbs that Kosovo is not independent. This impression was also created among our friends and Kosovo remains in status quo,” Isufi added.
Vetevendosje MP Glauk Konjufca said Kosovo and the international community have failed in dialogue with Serbia, because by attempting to integrate northern Serbs in Kosovo’s institutions they are only growing stronger and are not recognizing Kosovo’s statehood. “This means that an institutional organization that is created within Kosovo, such as the Association of Serb majority municipalities will receive content from Serbia and will work according to programs against Kosovo’s independence. This is very clear. I think one of the biggest failures of the government and a failure of the international strategy is how they have viewed the integration of the Serb population. Nine out of 11 or 12 municipalities that will make up the Association will be from Dacic’s list and they don’t recognize Kosovo,” Konjufca said.
Konjufca also said that Kosovo’s sole benefit from dialogue was the participation of Serbs in elections, although their victory goes against Kosovo.
