Tirana-Belgrade and Kosovo in the middle
Story Highlights
- Russia influence in Serbia seems to be big for this issue and obvious even to tourist’s eyes. T-shirts stamped with Russian President, Vladimir Putin portrait and accompanied by the slogan “Kosovo je Srbija” [Kosovo is Serbia] are sold for 10 euros in the souvenir kiosks in the central part of Belgrade.
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By FATJONA MEJDINI
As part of a small group of Albanian journalists who traveled to Belgrade to meet some key actors of Serbian politics and civil society, I repeatedly heard that “between Edi Rama and Aleksandar Vucic, there is an obvious chemistry.” In fact, I believe that more than the emotional bond two Prime Ministers have found that collaboration of Albania and Serbia is a must, in order to give countries economies new impulses, walk faster in the European integration path and establish their profiles as pro – Western leaders.
The high-level visits exchanged between two countries in two last years now are following with business, students, and professional meetings, since reconciliation process need to involve the whole society. On the other hand, the civil society is doing its own attempts and a center for the relationships between Albania and Serbia is on its way. But there is an issue that stays in the middle, hard to overcome and exclude from the two countries dialogue: Kosovo. In Albania, there are not complications about it, since politics, civil society, and common citizens all agree that Kosovo is independent and Serbia should recognize this reality.
But during the Belgrade visit, we found in Serbia divided opinions and lot of factors in play when it comes to this topic. Sonja Biserko, president of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia told us that ‘de facto’ Kosovo is not an issue anymore for Serbia politics and without Russia backing in United Nation this cause will be dead long ago. Media people were the most direct when it comes to Kosovo issue. Vukasin Obradovic, President of the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia states that is time for politicians in Serbia to tell their people the truth about Kosovo and not pretend anymore.
He also argues that even in the public opinion the issue of Kosovo is going down in interest since Serbs have other more emerging issues to care about like a weak economy, high rates of unemployment and reduced freedoms. Milorad Ivanovic, Editor in Chief of Newsweek Serbia said that Kosovo issue in the front pages doesn’t sell anymore. For this reason, he confesses to keeping it away from the publication he runs unless good people stories are included. But speaking Kosovo with Serbian politicians was a whole other experience.
During a meeting with a high representative of Serbian Foreign ministry, we were told that Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia and its independence it will never be recognized. Though Serbian official quickly shifted the topic adding that we have to focus on what join us. In fact, there are too many issues that join Tirana and Belgrade and lot of similarities in our way forward, though Kosovo can’t let apart as a small inconvenience. Despite having completely different opinions about this issue what relates the politicians on the two sides is the rush to bypass Kosovo in their talks since it still remains a tough issue.
In press conferences or debate tables, everybody is satisfied to repeat the line that they are ‘pro or against’ Kosovo independence and rush to discuss other things without fully elaborate the gray large zone that stays in between. Keep an open and sincere discussion about Kosovo in all level of talks between Albania and Serbia is not going to weak the fragile ties, on the contrary, is going to force them. Talking about what divides us has the same importance of talking for what pull us toward each other.
First it will make the dialog between two countries more substantial and real. On the other hand, this dialog has the power to improve the lives of Albanians and Serbs living in Kosovo and in the entire region as well. Albania and Serbia are considered as key actors in the Balkan region in terms of its prosperity and security and they have to fulfill this role alongside with their countries interests over this relationship. One of the most valuable gifts that I took from this visit was the policy paper named “Normalization Challenges” written by Dusan Janjic of Forum for Ethnic Relations. Learning about how the dialog between Serbia and Kosovo can be normalized can serve to Albanians a lot too.
