Sarmatian
03-28-2018, 09:51
Ok, tensions and Kosovo does seem like a pleonasm at this point, kind of like conflict and Gaza, but this does threaten to possibly get out of hand.
To recap, for the last several years, Belgrade and Pristina have been involved in a dialogue, which also involved EU as a mediator. Outside of practical issues that have been addressed (like car license plates, id's and such), the major components involved Belgrade taking down parallel institutions in the north of Kosovo, including its control of some border checks, while Pristina, on the other hand was supposed to create a special organization for majoraly Serbian areas of Kosovo, which would guarantee their autonomous status.
It's been 5 years since that's been signed. No one in Pristina lifted a finger to implement it. So far, Serbian politicians complained to EU mediators about that but have started to lose patience. In the last few weeks, there has been a kind of diplomatic offensive, but it appears nor EU nor anyone else in the West is really willing to pressure Pristina to do anything.
At this point, there are talks by the Serbian community in Kosovo to establish it unilaterally, without approval from Pristina, which definitely might make poop hit the fan. Two days ago, a Serbian diplomat was arrested in northern town of Kosovska Mitrovica, taken to Pristina and then expelled from Kosovo. Kosovo special police had to disperse protesters in the same town, leaving around 30 people injured (5 severely).
There has been little coverage in the Western media, some mentioned the arrest but little else. Hopefully it won't escalate further and there won't be more coverage in the next few weeks, but if you start encountering coverage, at least you'll know what is it about.
Serbia does feel backed into a corner on this. If Pristina isn't expected to keep their side of the deal, and their western backers aren't willing to apply pressure, the least that can happen is total breakdown in dialogue.
To recap, for the last several years, Belgrade and Pristina have been involved in a dialogue, which also involved EU as a mediator. Outside of practical issues that have been addressed (like car license plates, id's and such), the major components involved Belgrade taking down parallel institutions in the north of Kosovo, including its control of some border checks, while Pristina, on the other hand was supposed to create a special organization for majoraly Serbian areas of Kosovo, which would guarantee their autonomous status.
It's been 5 years since that's been signed. No one in Pristina lifted a finger to implement it. So far, Serbian politicians complained to EU mediators about that but have started to lose patience. In the last few weeks, there has been a kind of diplomatic offensive, but it appears nor EU nor anyone else in the West is really willing to pressure Pristina to do anything.
At this point, there are talks by the Serbian community in Kosovo to establish it unilaterally, without approval from Pristina, which definitely might make poop hit the fan. Two days ago, a Serbian diplomat was arrested in northern town of Kosovska Mitrovica, taken to Pristina and then expelled from Kosovo. Kosovo special police had to disperse protesters in the same town, leaving around 30 people injured (5 severely).
There has been little coverage in the Western media, some mentioned the arrest but little else. Hopefully it won't escalate further and there won't be more coverage in the next few weeks, but if you start encountering coverage, at least you'll know what is it about.
Serbia does feel backed into a corner on this. If Pristina isn't expected to keep their side of the deal, and their western backers aren't willing to apply pressure, the least that can happen is total breakdown in dialogue.