1. Coexistence of Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo - how much can the EU Mission help the two communities to better cooperate and live together?

The EU has consistently supported Kosovo and its multi-ethnic character and cintinues to do so. Past experiences and successful examples within the EU point to one necessary element that guides us: for reconciliation to succeed, it must be locally driven – it should come from the communities themselves and it should be based on direct communication and meaningful interaction between Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs, as well as among all other communities. In this context, civil society plays a crucial role in driving reconciliation efforts and actively engaging in reconnecting communities, building trust, reconciliation, and memorialization initiatives. However, we must not overlook the essential role of elected leaders, who should avoid divisive rhetoric, facilitate dialogue among communities, and craft inclusive policies that ensure all community members feel safe. It is clear that politicians and decision-makers play a crucial role in this regard, bearing the primary responsibility for promoting peaceful coexistence among communities. To sum it up, both top-down and bottom-up approaches are needed.

Specifically on the role of the EU, the European Union is facilitating the Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. The new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, wants to see Kosovo advance in its EU path. An essential condition for the EU path of both Kosovo and Serbia is the normalisation of relations and the implementation of Dialogue commitments. There is a window of opportunity to advance the process, as both parties have committed to implementing agreements made under the Dialogue process. 

Additionally, the EU Special Representative in Kosovo team and the EU Office support the reconciliation process at both the policy and technical levels. A prime example of this technical support is the EU-funded "Fostering Inter-Ethnic Understanding among Youth" project, which aims to establish cooperation among different communities. We also foster local exchanges on concrete topics, where communities come together to discuss practical ways to make their daily life easier. 

2. Regarding northern Kosovo, is it possible for there to be cafes and shops in South Mitrovica owned by Serbs... just as there are currently cafes and shops in North Mitrovica owned by Albanians?

While I understand that the establishment of Kosovo Albanian-owned businesses on the main street of Mitrovica North has raised tensions locally, I don’t see why the opening of Kosovo Serb-owned businesses in Mitrovica South and other cities in Kosovo would not be possible in the future. Kosovo has a free market economy and the EU would like to see diverse businesses across Kosovo. 

As you know, thanks to the EU Single Market, the EU allows citizens to trade and do business freely, regardless of their ethnicity. Therefore, what should matter is the quality of services or goods offered and meeting the needs of the market. 

However, what I would also like to add is that we would like to see the process of normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia continue in a way that contributes to lowering tensions and rebuild trust and ties among communities in the Mitrovica region, with positive spillover effects on the business environment as well.

3. How much more difficult is life for Serbs now that they have to travel outside of Kosovo to receive salaries from institutions operating within the Serbian system?

I am well aware of the concerns of the Kosovo Serb community and the negative impact that several actions have had on them, including the sudden and uncoordinated disruption of their access in Kosovo to basic public and social services, as well as their monthly incomes, making their daily lives more complicated. The status of Serbia-supported structures and services is foreseen to be resolved in line with agreements reached in the EU-facilitated Dialogue.

The EU wants to see a sustainable solution to the situation of the Serbian community in Kosovo —one that adequately addresses the long-standing challenges that the population has faced in accessing public services, and one that guarantees safety, security, and participatory democracy for all citizens. We, in the EU, are committed to working closely with all counterparts to ensure that Kosovo’s commitments to all communities are fully upheld.

At this point, I would also like to stress that Kosovo recently held parliamentary elections, and the people of Kosovo elected their representatives to the Assembly. I expect all members of the Assembly to effectively represent the interests of their constituencies and of Kosovo. In this respect, I expect, on one hand, the  Kosovo Serb members of the Assembly to engage actively and constructively in its work, contributing to improving the lives of all members of the community they represent, and on the other hand, for the next Kosovo Government to work inclusively and constructively with the elected representatives of the Kosovo Serb community.

4. Cultural heritage in Kosovo is a very important issue. Do you believe that Serbian cultural heritage is sufficiently protected – referring to churches, monasteries, medieval fortresses... and how can the EU Mission in Kosovo help in that regard?

Cultural heritage is indeed a matter of great importance. That’s why the preservation and protection of cultural and religious heritage of all communities is enshrined in Kosovo’s Constitution. In this context, Kosovo has a special duty to ensure the effective protection of all sites and monuments of cultural and religious significance to its communities.

There is a well-established mechanism in place to support this effort, including the Kosovo Police Unit for the Protection of Religious and Cultural Heritage Sites, which provides 24/7 physical security for some Serbian Orthodox churches and monasteries in Kosovo.

In addition, the Law on Special Protective Zones plays a key role by establishing the Implementation and Monitoring Council, a body tasked with resolving potential disputes between central and local institutions and the Serbian Orthodox Church. The EU co-chairs this mechanism, and I am very glad to see a renewed commitment from all parties to resume the work of this Council in recent months. This gives a positive prospect to pursue this much-needed process and eventually reach the level of protection required to safeguard the cultural and religious heritage of all communities.

5. Do you expect the situation in northern Kosovo to normalize after local elections if Serbs vote and elect mayors and municipal councilors who will represent them?

Local representatives play a really important role in ensuring that the voices of the communities they serve are heard, their needs are addressed, and their interests are represented. It is essential to hold inclusive local elections, with the full participation of Kosovo Serbs without any preconditions. The right to vote must be facilitated for all eligible citizens.

While I cannot predict the future, past experience has shown that the mere presence of Kosovo Serb mayors and councillors is not, on its own, a guarantee that the situation in the north of Kosovo will normalize. As mathematicians say, this is a necessary but not sufficient condition. And beyond the local elections, for normalization to happen, we need commitment and constructive engagement by Kosovo and Serbia to the process.

6. How important is it for Serbs to be represented in the Kosovo Police in the north?

Yes, it is very important. The police should reflect the ethnic diversity of Kosovo’s population. Kosovo’s Constitution clearly states that communities and their members are entitled to equitable representation in employment in public bodies, including, in particular, in the police service in areas inhabited by the respective community. 

In the case of northern Kosovo, the EU-facilitated Dialogue emphasizes once again that the composition of the Kosovo Police in the north will reflect the ethnic composition of the population of the four municipalities, while it also explicitly foresees that the Regional Police Commander shall be a Kosovo Serb. 

At this point, I would like to highlight that following the mass resignations of Kosovo Serb police officers in 2022, the Kosovo Police has since recruited new generations of officers from non-majority communities, including Kosovo Serbs. This is a positive trend, but will not, on its own, address the composition of the police in the north of Kosovo. 

The EU has continued to call for Kosovo Serbs to reintegrate and resume their participation in the Kosovo institutions. In this regard, we expect that Belgrade will encourage this reintegration and participation of Kosovo Serbs and for Pristina to enable it in accordance with Dialogue agreements and with full respect for Kosovo’s legal framework. The current situation in northern Kosovo is not sustainable.

7. Do you believe the EU measures against Kosovo will be lifted soon?

I am afraid I cannot provide a definitive answer to this question. As you know, in June 2024, the former High Representative recommended to the Council that the measures be lifted. Then, in December 2024, the Council stated in its conclusions on enlargement that the EU will gradually lift the measures in parallel with further steps by Kosovo to de-escalate the tensions in the north. Discussions within the Council continue, and the decision on whether the measures will be lifted ultimately lies with the 27 EU Member States, as such a decision requires consensus. 

Published by: Kosovo Online