Interethnic Dialogue and Reconciliation in Kosovo - Project on ...

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selves as partners with the <strong>in</strong>ternational community. They should proactivelyparticipate <strong>in</strong> decision mak<strong>in</strong>g processes <strong>and</strong> act through <strong>in</strong>stitutionsof <strong>Kosovo</strong> <strong>in</strong> order to facilitate the return process. Until now, theirrepresentation <strong>in</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong> <strong>in</strong>stitutions has not yielded significant results <strong>in</strong>the process of returnees. Although laws are <strong>in</strong> place there is a low level ofimplementation. Leaders said that the role of Belgrade is quite confus<strong>in</strong>g<strong>and</strong> destructive <strong>in</strong> this regard.<strong>Kosovo</strong> Serb participants were jo<strong>in</strong>ed by a prom<strong>in</strong>ent Serb politician fromBelgrade dur<strong>in</strong>g the last session of the roundtable. His knowledge ofBelgrade’s reason<strong>in</strong>g turned the session <strong>in</strong>to a question <strong>and</strong> answer sessionabout Belgrade’s position towards <strong>Kosovo</strong> <strong>in</strong> general <strong>and</strong> the <strong>Kosovo</strong> Serbs<strong>in</strong> particular. Most of the participants were pos<strong>in</strong>g questions try<strong>in</strong>g to discernthe true position of Belgrade towards <strong>Kosovo</strong> <strong>and</strong> the related issues.He also reflected on the long historic roots of Serbian politics towards<strong>Kosovo</strong>. The position of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) has beenradical <strong>and</strong> its <strong>in</strong>fluence is higher than is often portrayed – <strong>and</strong> it is ris<strong>in</strong>g.An additional reason for such low flexibility is that Serbia’s consensusfor a European future is built precisely on its consensus over <strong>Kosovo</strong>.These factors seriously reduce Serbia’s maneuver<strong>in</strong>g space towards <strong>Kosovo</strong>render<strong>in</strong>g it very <strong>in</strong>flexible.This session enabled the <strong>Kosovo</strong> Serb politicians to underst<strong>and</strong> the positionof Belgrade better, conclud<strong>in</strong>g that the <strong>in</strong>ternational community isclearly discourag<strong>in</strong>g current actions of Belgrade towards <strong>Kosovo</strong>. Heexpected a clear decision from the ICJ that will not necessarily be <strong>in</strong>Serbia’s favor. Despite Belgrade’s official position, <strong>Kosovo</strong> Serb participantswere encouraged to participate <strong>in</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong> <strong>in</strong>stitutions. He advised<strong>Kosovo</strong> Serb representatives to build a clear position towards Belgrade<strong>and</strong> Prist<strong>in</strong>a. Belgrade’s position will not change by itself.Overall, the roundtable po<strong>in</strong>ted out the different <strong>in</strong>terests <strong>and</strong> agendasbetween the Serbs <strong>in</strong> the south <strong>and</strong> those <strong>in</strong> the north, but also the need<strong>and</strong> desire to f<strong>in</strong>d common ground. It was encourag<strong>in</strong>g that the northernparticipants did not object to the necessity of those <strong>in</strong> the south to participate<strong>in</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong>’s <strong>in</strong>stitutions. Most importantly, all the participantsshared the op<strong>in</strong>ion that if they came up with a jo<strong>in</strong>t stance, their positionvis-à-vis all other actors would be stronger.Cooperation <strong>in</strong> Regional ContextPER’s experience shows that <strong>Kosovo</strong> Serbs are more comfortable <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>teract<strong>in</strong>gwith their Albanian counterparts <strong>in</strong> a regional sett<strong>in</strong>g. In fact, forsome topics it is almost the only way they are will<strong>in</strong>g to meet with <strong>Kosovo</strong>Albanian officials. Over the past eight years, sessions with regional participationplayed an important role <strong>in</strong> strengthen<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>ter-ethnic dialogue<strong>and</strong> complemented other activities <strong>in</strong> promot<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>ter-ethnic relationsat all levels. Past experience of regional participants who wentthrough PER’s dialogue events <strong>in</strong> the past was <strong>in</strong>dispensable to help thosestill <strong>in</strong> the dispute learn about examples from other countries.Regional roundtables addressed a range of issues related to <strong>in</strong>terethnicrelations <strong>and</strong> regional cooperation. Participants from Serbia, Montenegro,Macedonia, <strong>and</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong> have used these opportunities to exchange theirexperience regard<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>terethnic relations at municipal level, the transferof power from the central to local level, level of participation of m<strong>in</strong>orities<strong>in</strong> public life. <strong>Kosovo</strong> Serbs of various political backgrounds alsoattended these meet<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>and</strong> exchanged ideas <strong>and</strong> received tips how toimprove their situation. Cooperation with central authorities was one ofthe ma<strong>in</strong> topics discussed as well as lessons learned from other multi-ethnicmunicipalities.Regional <strong>Dialogue</strong>: The Future of the <strong>Kosovo</strong> SerbsOn purpose of follow<strong>in</strong>g up with the <strong>in</strong>tra-Serb discussion, PER exp<strong>and</strong>edthe dialogue with regional participants to cont<strong>in</strong>ue the discussionabout the future of the <strong>Kosovo</strong> Serbs. The previous day’s meet<strong>in</strong>g pavedthe way to a more honest discussion on how the region sees the future ofthe <strong>Kosovo</strong> Serbs. This was a good opportunity for the <strong>Kosovo</strong> Serb leadersto acquire new experiences <strong>and</strong> recognition from others; <strong>in</strong> addition itopened a path for northern participants to meet with southern Serbs aswell as the <strong>Kosovo</strong> Albanian participants.The discussion focused ma<strong>in</strong>ly on the outst<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g issues of the Serb communitysuch as the issue of returns, establishment of new municipalities<strong>and</strong> the relationship with Belgrade.A diplomatic representative opened the discussion with a reflection on theneed to resolve problems with<strong>in</strong> <strong>and</strong> between Serb <strong>and</strong> Albanian communities<strong>in</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong>. He reiterated that the political position of the UnitedStates of America has not changed, <strong>and</strong> underl<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>Kosovo</strong>’s sovereignty.3839
A representative of the host country also addressed the participants withan example of the status of Albanians <strong>in</strong> Montenegro <strong>and</strong> how this couldserve as a good illustration for the Serb community <strong>in</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong>. He mentionedthe challenges of the past <strong>and</strong> difficulties <strong>in</strong> confidence thatAlbanians had towards the government. However, today some of thesechallenges were left <strong>in</strong> the past <strong>and</strong> Albanians do now participate <strong>in</strong> thegovernment <strong>in</strong> an active way <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>fluence positive change <strong>in</strong>Montenegro.A senior <strong>Kosovo</strong> Serb leader praised the decentralization process <strong>in</strong><strong>Kosovo</strong> <strong>and</strong> the high turn-out of <strong>Kosovo</strong> Serbs <strong>in</strong> the recent local elections.He also praised the efforts of the authorities <strong>in</strong> Prist<strong>in</strong>a <strong>and</strong> underl<strong>in</strong>edthat the Government of <strong>Kosovo</strong> has <strong>in</strong>vested much more thanplanned for the development of new municipalities <strong>in</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong>.A long-time Serb official from <strong>Kosovo</strong> argued that <strong>Kosovo</strong> Serbs facediverse obstacles <strong>and</strong> hence cannot achieve the types of results thatAlbanians had <strong>in</strong> Montenegro. A different situation is with the Serb community<strong>in</strong> the south who have now decided to participate <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>stitutionsof <strong>Kosovo</strong>, partially thanks to Belgrade <strong>and</strong> the fact that the Government<strong>in</strong> Belgrade was not aggressively aga<strong>in</strong>st the elections as before.In light of the develop<strong>in</strong>g position of the Serbian community, it was concludedthat progress was needed on three fronts: (a) dialogue by <strong>Kosovo</strong>Serbs with Belgrade, (b) returns, <strong>and</strong> (c) decentralization. One of theSerbian representatives stated that only three out of five municipalities arefunctional <strong>and</strong> this process is still too slow, <strong>and</strong> added: “Decentralizationis an ongo<strong>in</strong>g process <strong>and</strong> we should def<strong>in</strong>itely take part <strong>in</strong> it as a community,but there is also economic development that is needed <strong>and</strong>human rights compliance which is also very important”.Establish<strong>in</strong>g a process for returnees was identified as one of the ma<strong>in</strong> prioritiesfor the Serb community, <strong>and</strong> most highlighted by a participantfrom a northern municipality of <strong>Kosovo</strong>. A <strong>Kosovo</strong> Albanian parliamentarymember stressed that <strong>Kosovo</strong> has failed <strong>in</strong> issues of returnees <strong>and</strong> thatproblems rema<strong>in</strong> for those return<strong>in</strong>g back home.Mitrovica was another topic discussed <strong>in</strong> the roundtable. One of theSerbian representatives from the South stated that any conflict <strong>in</strong>Mitrovica would reflect negatively on the Serbs <strong>in</strong> southern <strong>Kosovo</strong> <strong>and</strong>added that both Belgrade <strong>and</strong> Prist<strong>in</strong>a must talk about the situation <strong>in</strong> thenorth. The representative of Serbs from Mitrovica stated that the police40<strong>and</strong> justice system is disorganized <strong>in</strong> the north <strong>and</strong> this is the ma<strong>in</strong> problemfor this part of the region.One of the Serbian civil society representatives from Mitrovica stated thatthere are many problems <strong>in</strong> Mitrovica <strong>and</strong> that too much pressure was puton citizens <strong>in</strong> the north. He identified three options for Mitrovica; thecurrent status quo, autonomy with<strong>in</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong> or an exchange of territories.“The EU should take over the responsibility of north <strong>Kosovo</strong> until Serbia<strong>and</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong> enter the EU.”Belgrade politics towards <strong>Kosovo</strong> <strong>and</strong> the <strong>Kosovo</strong> Serbs was also elaboratedby a dist<strong>in</strong>guished Belgrade <strong>in</strong>tellectual <strong>and</strong> political leader fromBelgrade. There is a wide consensus about <strong>Kosovo</strong> <strong>in</strong> the political scene ofSerbia, <strong>and</strong> the political <strong>in</strong>fluence of the church has contributed to thisconsensus. There is a gap <strong>in</strong>Serbian politics towards <strong>Kosovo</strong><strong>and</strong> Serbia has many problems <strong>in</strong>def<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g its new regional politics<strong>and</strong> develop<strong>in</strong>g a relationshipwith neighbor<strong>in</strong>g countries.Establish<strong>in</strong>g a process forreturnees was identified asone of the ma<strong>in</strong> prioritiesfor the Serb community.A representative of the EU praised the fact that all participants <strong>in</strong> the discussionbelieve <strong>in</strong> the European perspective of the region. <strong>Kosovo</strong> has betterchances to jo<strong>in</strong> the EU before Turkey given the unresolved issues overTurkey’s c<strong>and</strong>idacy. He added that the respect of m<strong>in</strong>orities is an importantcondition towards this path. “The EU is the only option for all thecountries <strong>in</strong> the region <strong>and</strong> we are work<strong>in</strong>g hard to get you there.” A representativeof the m<strong>in</strong>ority community from northern Serbia stated thatthere are many parallels between m<strong>in</strong>ority communities <strong>in</strong> northernSerbia <strong>and</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong>. He stressed the progress made <strong>in</strong> Serbia with theestablishment of m<strong>in</strong>ority councils represented <strong>and</strong> elected by the m<strong>in</strong>orities.These councils are seen as a very good tool for self-protection wherethe m<strong>in</strong>orities participate <strong>in</strong> decision-mak<strong>in</strong>g on issues related to education,employment <strong>and</strong> other practical issues for protection of the community’snational identity.F<strong>in</strong>ally participants concluded that the discussion was very concrete <strong>and</strong>constructive. There are conditions which the <strong>Kosovo</strong> Government muststill fulfill. On the other h<strong>and</strong> people should not hide beh<strong>in</strong>d status. Adiplomatic representative condemned the shoot<strong>in</strong>g on the member of theparliament <strong>and</strong> a tragic death of a doctor <strong>in</strong> Mitrovica.41
Page 1 and 2: PROJECT ON ETHNIC RELATIONSThe <str
Page 3 and 4: TABLE OF CONTENTSPreface 1Note on T
Page 5 and 6: The objective of the meetin
Page 7 and 8: Inter-ethnic Roundtable - Consolida
Page 9 and 10: 12Inclusion of Gjilan/Gnjilane vill
Page 11 and 12: Inter-Ethnic Rountable - Future of
Page 13 and 14: Directors were noted as hav
Page 15 and 16: stated that one purpose of the adm<
Page 17 and 18: cant Serb turn-out in</stro
Page 19 and 20: A Roma leader said that these were
Page 21: 36a better understand</stro
Page 25 and 26: There should be noforbidden issues
Page 27 and 28: Forum. However, the Forum cannot <s
Page 29 and 30: this will weaken the services provi
Page 31: 56Patrick Schmelzer, Policy Officer

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