#Kosovo

European Union's special envoy to Serbia-Kosovo talks

19 Jul 2021 4 3

Aleksandar Vucic

Inserted 2 years ago

“There were three points, to intensify joint efforts to identify the remains of the missing persons, to refrain from things that could potentially destabilize the situation on the ground and for the main negotiators to meet regularly, once a month, and prepare meetings when necessary. They [Kosovo] conditioned all the time with some new political criteria. We understand that there were crimes on both sides, they do not understand that, they see themselves as victims and Serbs as criminals. That story about genocides is someone's intention for Serbs to be the worst people in the world.”

Serbia's President

19 Jul 2021 3 2

Aleksandar Vucic

Inserted 2 years ago

“Israel, meanwhile, has recognised Kosovo, we are talking to the Americans and the EU, and we will, in accordance with international law, but also with the interests of Serbia, and those interests have changed since Israel recognized Kosovo, make decisions in the future, respecting friendship with Israel, but also respecting ourselves.”

Serbia's President

30 Jun 2021 (approx) 2 5

Dragisa Mijacic

Inserted 2 years ago

“For years, President Vučić has managed to send the message that it is necessary to work on reaching an agreement, but also to calm those radical elements in society who are against reaching any agreement with the Kosovo Albanians. His political and social engineering is often reflected in the fact that members of his party and coalition partners often speak contrary to what he advocates in public presentations, which further confuses the public and calms the opponents of the agreement. In the coming period, we will probably witness the continued use of this model of communication. They (the attitudes) are often contrary to what the President is saying. However, the latest public opinion polls show that more and more citizens believe that a solution needs to be found to normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo.”

Chair of the Working group for Chapter 35 of the National Convention on the EU

26 Jun 2021 4 4

Aleksandar Vucic

Inserted 2 years ago

“It is our job… to look for a compromise solution every day, because without it someone will unfreeze that conflict one day, and then, whatever we do and no matter how it all ends, I would have to tell someone's mother – I'm sorry you don't have a son anymore, but, at least we've achieved a great victory. I want to repeat – a compromise solution is the only possible solution, but if you ask me what a compromise is, I will tell you – I don't know. However, we all have to reach a compromise together. If we fail to do that, we will leave this problem to future generations.”

Serbian president

25 Jun 2021 1 4

Miroslav Lajčák

Inserted 2 years ago

“Both leaders were very open and honest about what they want in the dialogue, that is important for the EU, there is no other way forward than the normalisation of relations and both are committed to working on normalisation through dialogue.”

European Union's special envoy to Serbia-Kosovo talks

15 Jun 2021 4 4

Aleksandar Vucic

Inserted 2 years ago

“The Albanian delegation does not want to fulfil agreements [made at earlier meetings], they do not want to talk about the Union of Serbian Municipalities [to represent Serbs' interests in Kosovo], they insistently and instantly demanded when will we recognise an independent Kosovo, and they described the fact that Serbs want to attend liturgies in their churches [in Kosovo] as incidents and provocations. [Kurti] told me: 'I came to ask you when you will recognize an independent Kosovo.' My answer was 'Never!' Then he blew up.”

Serbia's President

15 Jun 2021 4 3

Aleksandar Vucic

Inserted 2 years ago

“The dialogue with Pristina will continue soon, and I believe in the possibility of reaching a compromise solution.”

Serbia's President

04 Jun 2021 2 2

Yahel Vilan

Inserted 2 years ago

“Israel's decision to recognise Kosovo was made under American pressure. [But] By the way, let's not forget that this was done within the framework of the [Wshington] agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, especially with America, and not with us, with Israel.”

Ambassador of Israel to Serbia

12 May 2021 4 3

Heiko Maas

Inserted 3 years ago

“I know that visa liberalization is important to citizens. Germany's position is clear that Kosovo has fulfilled visa liberalization criteria and visas should be waved. The EU should keep its promise given to Kosovo and during Germany's EU Presidency it was a priority and we will remain to engage that visa liberalization to be implemented as soon as possible.”

Germany Foreign Minister

23 Apr 2021 3 2

Heiko Maas

Inserted 3 years ago

“The time is right for continuing the normalization process -- and to achieve results. It is important not to hold this dialogue just for dialogue's sake, there must be results. Germany stands ready to help in this respect.”

Germany Foreign Minister

23 Apr 2021 2 4

Jasmin Mujanovic

Inserted 3 years ago

“It's hard to imagine any scenario in which any attempt of secession or partition of BiH [Bosnia and Herzegovina] - or Kosovo or North Macedonia - doesn't immediately set off significant violence. It's just a non-starter. It's imperative the pro-Bosnian bloc creates a unified response and strategy to respond to the worst-case scenario, and that they also coordinate this, as much as is possible, with NATO leaders. The US in particular should be brought on side to the greatest extent possible, to ensure that no actual adventurism is attempted, and if it is, that there be a swift, and effective local-international response.”

Aljazeera

Political Scientist

22 Apr 2021 5 2

Bodo Weber

Inserted 3 years ago

“In my understanding, the letters [two letters sent by Blinken to Serbia and Kosovo presidents] are a clear signal the Biden administration ended the Trump-Grenell policy of undermining the EU on its own turf. A return to transatlantic cooperation, but with Washington leaving the lead role to the EU.”

Senior Associate of the Democratization Policy Council

16 Apr 2021 6 3

Florian Bieber

Inserted 3 years ago

“The idea of border changes is dangerous. It was already highly risky [to] discuss a mutually agreed border change between Kosovo and Serbia and [is] even more risky in Bosnia because it would involve not only a nonconsensual process [but] affect people against their will and throw overboard the approach of the international community [that has been in place] since 1991, namely that no border changes along ethnic lines are acceptable. This would have knock-on effects in Crimea and elsewhere and could trigger renewed conflict in Bosnia.”

Professor at the University of Graz and member of the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG)

15 Apr 2021 2 3

Aleksandar Vucic

Inserted 3 years ago

“We believe that a compromise agreement means no one gets everything and everyone gets enough.”

Serbia's President

03 Mar 2021 1 3

Miroslav Lajčák

Inserted 3 years ago

“Dialogue is key for both sides to advance on their European path. We have no interest to preserve a status quo and we are ready to bring the process to a successful end as fast as the two sides are ready to go.”

European Union's special envoy to Serbia-Kosovo talks

03 Mar 2021 3 2

Igor Novakovic

Inserted 3 years ago

“Based on the public polls survey, it is clear that NATO is an unpopular subject, that is why illusion is being created that Serbia does not cooperate with NATO, mostly by tabloids. The ruling majority has the need to continue the cooperation with NATO for several reasons – due to the geostrategic position of Serbia which is surrounded by NATO states, the benefits of the cooperation programmes and the role of KFOR in the protection of Serbs in Kosovo. This current situation is not good, and Serbia should go a step further in the partnership and have clear communication strategy on NATO. I don't think this is possible for the time being as the elections on all levels are approaching and writing about NATO is not beneficial.”

Research Director in the International and Security Affairs Centre (ISAC)

26 Feb 2021 3 4

Mladen Aleksic

Inserted 3 years ago

“Whoever is elected, the Church will continue to repeat its clear, unequivocal position on the issue of Kosovo. It was always important for the state to have the support of the Serbian Orthodox Church for its policy, whether domestic or internationa. The pressure is not bigger now but Vucic's [Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic] constant presence in the media makes his role appear most important.”