In an opinion piece originally published in Podgorica-based paper Vijesti, Koha Ditore’s editor-in-chief Agron Bajrami writes that the idea of the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to open an internal debate on Kosovo has been seen by some as a sure sign that Serbia has moved a step closer to recognising independence of Kosovo while others see it as yet another media stunt aimed at scoring positive points with the EU. In fact, Bajrami observes, Vucic has even said so himself: “I would like, as the President of the Republic, to try to resolve our conflicts, if possible, once and for all and if not possible, then nothing”.  According to Bajrami, the only sincere part of Vucic’s above statement is “then nothing”. This is also confirmed by the statement of Vucic’s “right hand man”, Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, who argues “drawing new borders with Albanians in Kosovo”.

Both Vucic and Dacic, Bajrami notes, seem to forget that negotiations on a permanent settlement for Kosovo have taken place more than ten years ago in Vienna and that independence of Kosovo was declared on the basis of Ahtisaari’s status proposal. However, what is more important for leaders in Belgrade to have this story overshadow, at least for a short time, many other problems in Serbia, says Bajrami.

He adds that statements from leaders in Belgrade came as a surprise only to a few in Kosovo and few showed interest in following what Vucic and Dacic have to say about Kosovo. The attention of the people of Kosovo is currently on the Kosovo Assembly where the political stalemate could begin being resolved today.