Independence interruptus
The behavior of all sides in the current customs dispute demonstrates that — as far as the locals are concerned — the question of who has sovereignty is an indelibly zero-sum dispute; one that the respective local elites must be left to settle on their own.
Kosovo – the gathering storm
In light of the unilateralism and brute force employed by Pristina in the north, Serbia must escape the stalemate that currently defines its policy towards Kosovo and adopt a stronger policy towards both the Quint and the EU.
Kosovo – of talks and violence
Though talks between Pristina and Belgrade are likely to continue at some stage in the near future, the recent violence is an important reminder that negotiations are determined not just on the negotiating table, but also on the streets of the north of Kosovo.
Kosovo – what might ‘Ahtisaari Plus’ look like?
An 'Ahtisaari Plus approach', offering a form of special autonomy for the north, could provide the basis for a compromise between Belgrade and Pristina; one that might also win sufficient support from the northern Kosovo Serbs to be viable.
Kosovo – kako bi mogao da izgleda 'Ahtisari plus'?
‘Ahtisari Plus’ pristup, koji bi ponudio oblik specijalne autonomije za sever, mogao bi biti osnova za kompromis između Beograda i Prištine - kompromis koji bi takođe mogao dobiti dovoljno podrške od strane kosovskih Srba sa severa kako bi bio održiv.
Kosovo – the northern reality
Impressions from a recent visit to north Kosovo confirm that, in spite of improvements in movement across the River Ibar, it remains a potential crisis point that both the government and internationals in Pristina have contributed to rather then helping alleviate.
The perpetual theatre of Kosovo
'Teatro Stabile del Kosovo' - The Perpetual Theatre of Kosovo - is filmed, directed and edited by award-winning Italian reporter, Roberto Valussi, who travelled extensively throughout Kosovo for more than a year during its making.
Serbia offers a Kosovo smorgasbord
Eager to ensure that Kosovo does not inhibit its EU membership aspirations, the Serbian government - facing elections next year - has recently offered a veritable smorgasbord of possibilities for reaching a “historical” compromise.
Srbija nudi kosovski švedski sto
S željom da osigura da Kosovo neće inhibirati njene aspiracije ka članstvu u EU, srpska vlada - koju naredne godine očekuju izbori - nedavno je ponudila pravi švedski sto mogućnosti za ostvarivanje 'istorijskog' kompromisa.
Kosovo – Pristina's police ploy
Pristina's attempts to inject its police into the north threaten to upset the status quo and provoke a response that may not only lead to the full partition of the Kosovo Police Service, but which could also derail talks between Serbia and Kosovo.
Kosovo – smicalica Prištine s policijom
Pokušaji Prištine da nametnu svoje policijske snage na Kosovu pretnja su trenutnom statusu quo i izazivaju odgovor koji ne samo da bi mogao dovesti do potpune podele kosovske policije (KPS), već bi mogao izbaciti iz koloseka i razgovore između Srbije i Kosova.
Kosovo – the negotiations, the north and the police
Whilst Belgrade shows a willingness to compromise on specific issues, Pristina remains wedded to a maximalist stance - particularly towards the north - that inhibits its scope for making concessions and has led to suggestions that regional stability could be threatened if the spectre of partition is raised.
Kosovo – is the EU turning status neutral?
After seeking since 2008 to support the imposition of Pristina's rule in north Kosovo, the EU may now be shifting to a more status-neutral approach. The devil will be in the details and much will depend on whether the US goes along.
Kosovo – da li EU postaje statusno neutralna?
Nakon što je od 2008. godine nastojala da podrže nametanje vladavine Prištine na severu Kosova, Evropska unija bi sada mogla da pređe ka više statusno neutralnom pristupu. Mnogo toga će ponovo zavisiti od detalja, kao i od toga da li će SAD ići u istom pravcu.
The love triangle – Serbia, Kosovo and the EU
The next elections will determine whether Serbia chooses the 'European perspective' or the so-called 'Kosovo path'; whether it will continue to uphold its territorial integrity or seek to amend its constitution in order to join the EU.
Will the US stop digging its Kosovo hole?
The current talks between Belgrade and Pristina may provide the US with an opportunity to shift away from a policy that has become dependent upon giving full backing to Kosovo's prime minister, Hashim Thaci, regardless of the accusations made against him.
Da li će SAD prestati da same sebi kopaju rupu na Kosovu?
Trenutni razgovori između Beograda i Prištine mogli bi biti prilika za SAD da naprave pomak od politike koja je postala ovisna o njihovoj punoj podršci kosovskom premijeru, Hašimu Tačiju, bez obzira na optužbe protiv njega.
Kosovo – still a mess
With Kosovo still a mess, it remains to be seen whether the Quint will push Pristina to accept necessary compromises and whether EULEX will move to prevent a resumption of Pristina's provocations on the ground.
Kosovo – još uvek u haosu
Dok je Kosovo još uvek u haosu, tek će se videti da li će Kvinta pritisnuti Prištinu na prihvatanje neophodnih kompromisa i da li će EULEX učiniti išta da spreči ponovne provokacije Prištine na terenu.
Kosovo – what a mess
Given the spate of bad news emerging from Kosovo in recent weeks, the only way forward is for the international community to again attempt to achieve a political solution, this time with Belgrade directly.
Kosovo – kakav nered
Imajući u vidu bujicu loših vesti koje tokom poslednjih nedelja pristižu sa Kosova, jedini put napred je ponovni pokušaj međunarodne zajednice da ostvari političko rešenje, ovoga puta direktno sa Beogradom.
Kosovo – alternativna rešenja za sever
Iako je na severu Kosova u poslednje vreme bilo relativno mirno, sa iznimkom nekoliko manjih incidenata, prisutna je sumnja da se ova situacija može održati bez daljiih sputavanja i mogućeg političkog rešenja zasnovanog na jednom od dve alternative - specijalnoj autonomiji za sever ili podeli.
Kosovo – the alternatives for the North
Though northern Kosovo has been relatively calm of late, albeit with a series of minor incidents, it is doubtful that this situation can persist without continued restraint and an eventual political solution based upon one of two alternatives - special autonomy for the north or partition.
Kosovo – the Ahtisaari plan redux
The Ahtisaari plan - or something like it - will have to be part of any practical arrangement for the north of Kosovo, with the international community possibly taking the place of Pristina in the Plan's implementation.
Kosovo i Ahtisarijev plan Reduks
Ahtisarijev plan - ili nešto slično tome - će morati biti deo bilo kakvog praktičnog rešenja za sever Kosova, uz mogućnost da međunarodna zajednica preuzme ulogu Prištine u sprovođenju Plana.
