Kosovo solution hard to reach, Serwer says

Kosovo solution hard to reach, Serwer says

“The U.S. has managed to obtain Russian support in the past, which is not the case this time, and that will make the decision-making process difficult”, Serwer said.

He added that some other countries, notably Spain and Italy, also oppose Kosovo’s independence, which in his words demonstrates EU’s difficulties in reaching consensus over the Kosovo issue, making U.S. assistance necessary.

When it comes to the U.S. Kosovo policy, Serwer believes Washington has lately made several serious mistakes, mostly as a result of the view that the Balkans is no longer a priority.

“I don’t see the possibility of a peaceful, negotiated solution, rather a continuation of delays and uncertainty, which could lead to problems in Kosovo”, the U.S. analyst said.

“I don’t think Serbia can hang on to Kosovo and remain a democratic country at the same time, due to internal pressures and extreme elements”, Daniel Serwer concluded.

Swift solution

The chief of the U.S. mission in Kosovo, Tina Kaidanow, said she believed UN special Kosovo envoy Martti Ahtisaari will present his status proposal immediately in the wake of the Serbian parliamentary elections, scheduled for January 21 next year.

“Ahtisaari will decide whether there will be further negotiations between Priština and Belgrade, but let’s be clear about this: there was plenty of negotiating”, Kaidanow said, adding that the U.S. supports a swift solution to the Kosovo status.

Priština daily Zeri writes that Kaidanow said Kosovo status must be known quickly, as “the people of Kosovo deserve to know what their future will be after seven years of UN administration”.

She added there were also the practical reasons in favor of a speedy resolution.

“The investors must know what Kosovo status will be in order to invest here successfully”, the U.S. mission in Kosovo chief told Zeri.