Brussels-based correspondent Augustin Palokaj writes in his weekly column that the upcoming round of the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade is expected to remain the same as the previous meetings. The EU is not going to change its position on the dialogue as it believes the process so far has been quite successful. Belgrade will also remain in its positions as the Serbian Prime Minister, Aleksandar Vucic, was one of the main actors even when the dialogue was officially led by Ivica Dacic. With regards to Pristina, the only major change in its approach will be in the increased number of people involved in the process. The dialogue will still be led by Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci although, formally, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa will represent Kosovo. According to EU officials, the format of talks will also remain unchanged. The new EU chief of diplomacy, Federica Mogherini, will meet each side separately and then organise a joint meeting. Once the meeting is over, the EU will come out with an “intentionally unclear” statement confirming the meeting did take place, the leaders discussed and pledged to meet again. Palokaj says that dialogue is indeed the best way to normalize relations between two countries, people and societies but in the case of Kosovo, it has produced a new status quo and has frozen the process of Kosovo independence’s recognition because dialogue has been used against recognition to enable the EU to be in a position to mediate. EU officials, writes Palokaj, admit that it would have been much harder for the EU to be able to facilitate the dialogue if all its member countries had recognised Kosovo as this would make it treat Kosovo as a sovereign country. Another problem for Kosovo is that the dialogue has overshadowed all other issues and “it seems that one of the easiest practical ‘benefits’ it has produced is the possibility of people leaving from Pristina, through Belgrade and Subotica, and illegally enter into Hungary.” The people leaving Kosovo every day shows how alarming the social crisis is and the government of Kosovo should approach the dialogue with less enthusiasm and make it clear to the EU that, although it will not abandon talks with Belgrade, it will redirect its attention into other, more pressing matters, concludes Palokaj.