There is no progress in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue despite efforts by the EU to relax relations between the two countries. Kosovo government skepticism to implement the “Agreement on Economic Normalization” later (Washington agreement), which was signed by the then Prime Minister of Kosovo, Avdullah Hoti in Washington, September 4, is seen by the opposition as dangerous for the future of Kosovo.
The Washington agreement includes two separate documents, one signed by Serbian President Vucic and the other by Kosovo Prime Minister Hoti, in the presence of President Trump at the White House in Washington. These documents contain commitments which include joint projects in the economic field and free movement. Among the strengths of this agreement for Kosovo is the recognition by Israel and the establishment of Kosovo embassy in Jerusalem.
The implementation issue of this agreement was also discussed in Kosovo Assembly, in a parliamentary debate where part of the political spectrum called this agreement as unconstitutional and one-sided, while the rest, mainly opposition, demands the implementation of the agreement and sees its neglect as dangerous for Kosovo`s future. Prime Minister Albin Kurti time ago called the agreement “a Swedish table where everyone got what they wanted”. Meanwhile, in a session held in recent days, although Kurti did not clarify his position towards the agreement, he called it unconstitutional, due to the fact that it has not been ratified in the Assembly of Kosovo.
The most contentious point of the agreement is currently the point for Ujmani Lake which states that “both parties will agree to work with the US Department of Energy and other US Government entities on a feasibility study, with a view to sharing Ujmani Lake, as a reliable supplier of water and energy”. This is considered as a point that could ruin the agreement, as the current government rejects this point totally. Prime Minister Kurti days ago stated that this is Kosovo property and he will use all arguments in the feasibility study, to protect Kosovo property from any claim. Ujmani Lake is considered a vital strategic point for Kosovo, as it currently water supplies an area with over 500 thousand Kosovars.
On the other hand, the US has repeatedly called for the implementation of the Washington agreement, calling it binding on both signatories. This agreement produces international obligations although it has not been ratified in Kosovo Assembly, it is a commitment signed by the Prime Minister of Kosovo and carries state obligations for its implementation. Even the delay in establishing an embassy in Jerusalem endangers the recognition of Kosovo, since now in Israel is already another reality, another government composed of a broad coalition that may consequently have different views on the establishment of diplomatic relations with Kosovo.
If the implementation of this agreement was used wisely, Kosovo would benefit greatly in terms of diplomacy. Recognition of Kosovo by Israel should be used by Kosovo diplomacy to seek recognition of Greece, Cyprus, Romania and Spain, because if Israel, with all its territorial issues, has recognized Kosovo, the above-mentioned states should not hesitate either.
In addition, it would benefit economically with investments in railways and highways and investing in this part would be a benefit for the region, not only for Kosovo. We recall that immediately after the signing of this agreement, Kosovo was visited by the Chief Executive Officer of the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Adam Boehler, for the purpose of implementing the points related to the economic development of this agreement.
The Kosovo Government must take safe steps towards the implementation of each point of the agreement and it cannot be said that it is rejecting it as an agreement in its entirety. Considering that most points are already being implemented such as the moratorium on not applying to international organizations for one year. This period of time should be used by Kosovo Government to lobby through international organizations and to precede the application immediately after the moratorium expiration with high priority on WHO membership, taking into account the pandemic situation. Kosovo has not been accepted in important international organizations for a long time, not only because of this moratorium, but because Serbia has campaigned intensively to undermine Kosovo’s position to join INTERPOL, UNESCO and other important international organizations.
At the request of the United States, Kosovo has also years ago declared “Hezbollah” as terrorist organization and joined the United States in the fight against terrorism. Among other points that Kosovo has implemented is the one that prohibits the use of 5G devices, provided by untrusted vendors, and their communication networks. On the other hand, Serbia has not taken any action to remove the use of 5G devices installed by the largest Chinese company Huawei.
Among other points currently being reviewed by Prime Minister Kurti, is the issue of “Balkan Schengen”, a regional proposal by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and backed by Serbia and Northern Macedonia. The “Balkan Schengen” agreement apparently was not favored by Prime Minister Kurti, as he proposed another agreement called the “Southeast Europe Free Trade Agreement” – SEFTA, which according to PM Kurti, will create a common economic zone for 6 countries of the Western Balkans. Kurti’s proposal has not been commented by European Union officials.
Non-implementation of agreement by Kosovo government as a whole, is seen as political immaturity, in a better case Kosovo should use this agreement to put international pressure on Serbia to implement the points that are in favor of Kosovo. The implementation of such agreements, politically and financially supported by the United States of America, would create a new geopolitical reality in the Western Balkans, without foreign influences, since recently there has been a noticeable increase in Russian and Chinese influence through investments and economic donations, military equipment and recently also with the supply of vaccines against Covid19, especially in Serbia and Montenegro.
