Moderation:

Adnan Ćerimagić, Analyst at European Stability Initiative, Berlin; member of the IIP Advisory Board

Panelists:

Djordje Bojović, London School of Economics/Belgrade
Donika Emini, Executive Director at CiviKos, Prishtina and PhD candidate at the University of Westminster

Content:

The Belgrade-Pristina dialogue started in March 2011 with the European Union playing the role of mediator. Those first meetings in Brussels were the first contacts made between Serbian and Kosovar officials since Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008. The dialogue can be described as a turbulent but much needed discussion between the two parties to solve territorial disputes and free both countries’ paths to EU membership. The dialogue also aims to establish a long-lasting process of reconciliation between Serbs and Albanians and reorganize the geopolitical structure and stability of the Western Balkans. With the trade sanctions that Kosovo imposed upon goods from Serbia in November 2018 successfully lifted in June 2020, an opportunity to continue the talks was established. The EU appointed Miroslav Lajcak as a special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, indicating that the EU is shifting gears and preparing to re-engage in the region. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his counterpart, Kosovar Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti, are scheduled to meet in Brussels for a new round of talks on July 16th.

This panel discussion will analyze the opportunities and the possible outcome of the talks. Can this new round of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina lead to a final solution for this long-lasting challenge and secure peace and stability in the Western Balkans region? What are the positions of each party, and what would a possible agreement look like? All those questions and more will be answered by the panelists, and an open Q&A session with all attendees will follow.