Ahead of Kosovo’s anniversary of declaration of independence, the Kosovo’s Academy of Arts and Science has come out with a statement expressing serious concern over the current political discourse regarding the final stage of dialogue with Serbia. “Lack of a unified state platform and controversial and divisive positions between main Kosovo institutional leaders are unacceptable,” the statement reads. The Academy says it is convinced that international allies like the U.S. and EU would continue to support independence and sovereignty of Kosovo and that this support is particularly important at a time when “diplomatic correspondence” trumps up the idea of “painful compromise” between Kosovo and Serbia for individual interests and fails to recognise consequences such a scenario would have in the Balkans. “This possible change of course would be a setback to two-decade-long international efforts for creating peace and stability in the region and in Europe,” the Academy warns. “The Republic of Kosovo should conduct the final stage of dialogue with the Republic of Serbia within the applicable constitutional and legal order and in line with constitutional competencies of state institutions. The Republic of Kosovo should conduct the final stage of dialogue through implementation of internationally accepted obligations in line with UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/64/298 of 9 September 2010 acknowledging the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in respect of Kosovo which paved way for the inter-state dialogue with the Republic of Serbia, facilitated by the European Union. The Republic of Kosovo should conduct the final stage of dialogue with Serbia or third parties only as an independent, sovereign and internationally recognised by 115 countries and confirmed by the International Court of Justice,” the statement reads. The Academy of Arts and Science called on Kosovo leaders and legislators to remain “unwavering” in protecting Kosovo’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.