Searching for Solutions for Kosovo's North (ENGLISH) - Cigonline.net

Overall Conclusions
The search for a compromise and mutually accepted solutions for the north of
Kosovo is at a very early stage. The sides are very far from each other. One thing,
however, was clear to the participants in both Vienna and Przno: the problem of
the north is a political problem and should be dealt by political means.
The key prerequisite for the start of such a process is strengthening security in
the north. All sides should understand that there would be no partition of Kosovo
or exchange of territories. All remaining barricades there must be removed and
freedom of movement should be established and guaranteed for everyone.
Political leaders and the media should calm down the rhetoric. There can be no
meaningful dialogue while the aggressive language is being exchanged.
Establishing communication and trust between sides is crucial. The gap between
Serbs and Albanians and their mutual distrust and suspicion of each other are
overwhelming. Further discussions of the type organized by CIG would be a
serious contribution toward further normalization of relations.
Dialogue should be organized on several levels.
Dialogue on practical issues between the political representatives of south and
north Mitrovica would not only establish a point of permanent contact for the
local officials but would also seek to resolve many real life issues and problems
through which confidence can be reached.
Any resolution requires a dialogue between the political leaders of Serbs in the
north and leaders of Kosovo’s institutions. Pristina should make it clear that it
wants to have an open channel of communication with all Serbs in the north
including those who are chosen by the Serb community there to represent
them. These politicians represent an important part of the political spectrum
in the north and influence citizens there. Those who have not committed any
crimes and want to stay engaged in politics should have a political future within
Kosovo’s political system.
The politicians in the north should accept Pristina as an interlocutor. Now that
Pristina is accepted as interlocutor by Belgrade, it should also be acceptable for
the Serbs in the north.
However, as acute as the crisis in the north might be, its resolution is impossible
without the active engagement of Pristina and Belgrade, their bilateral political
dialogue, and without the continuing assistance of the international community.
A number of confidence-building steps are possible even before a resolution
of the crisis in Kosovo’s north is reached. Participants identified the issues of
security and the rule of law, and especially the functioning of the police and the
justice system, securing property rights, unemployment, the organization of local
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