OSCE reveals nine-point plan to reign in tensions in north Kosovo

The Kosovo office of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has announced a nine-point plan to de-escalate tensions in the north of Kosovo and get both sides back to the negotiating table to normalise relations amid declining faith in the EU from certain stakeholders.

The plan aims at achieving lasting peace and stability in the north of Kosovo and the return of Kosovo Serbs to democratic institutions and processes.

North Kosovo has been rocked by violence and protests over the last 10 days. Following the mass resignation of ethnic Serbs who formed a majority in the region, Pristina called elections to replace them. Belgrade then called on Serbs to boycott their votes and abstain from running as candidates, resulting in a voter turnout of less than 4%.

Four mayors of ethnic Albanian background were elected as the heads of four municipalities, and when they tried to enter municipal buildings, they were met with protests from Serbs which resulted in more than 30 NATO peacekeeping troops being injured, and many protestors, police and journalists sustaining injury.

The OSCE first calls on Kosovo and Serbia to reaffirm their commitment to previous agreements made as a part of the ongoing EU-led dialogue, including the Ohrid Protocol. This is despite Kosovo not yet forming the Association of Serb Municipalities, which it says is unconstitutional, and Serbia continuing to lobby against Kosovo recognition and membership in international organisations or interfering in Kosovo elections.

Secondly, Kosovo should withdraw its special police forces that have been present in the region to maintain order, while Serbia should reduce the combat readiness of the armed forces, which were placed on high alert ten days ago.

Thirdly, the Kosovo police, together with the forces of KFOR and EULEX, should be enabled to fully take care of the order and security of the country.

Fourth, the protests should be cancelled, and the municipal services should be put into operation for the normal functioning of social life; at the same time, employees should be allowed access to the municipalities.

Point five states that the recently elected Albanian mayors should resign by the summer of this year, paving the way for early municipal elections, which according to point six, should be held this year.

The seventh point notes that the OSCE will support the electoral process through the technical support of the Kosovar authorities that will organise the elections, strengthening the legitimacy and trust between the communities.

As for point eight, the OSCE will engage young people in reconciliation programmes and processes, and for point nine, the OSCE will support the implementation of the agreed provisions in the framework of the ongoing dialogue.

This is the first formal and publicly available plan of action to fix the situation in the north, as the EU and US have made a number of demands against Kosovo while asking little of Serbia.

Former foreign minister Meliza Haradinaj told EURACTIV Albania in a recent interview that she believes the EU have lost their credibility and the US should take the lead in the ongoing dialogue.

“The more Serbia aligns with Russia, the more the West treats Serbia with respect and higher tolerance compared to how it treats Kosovo. We listened to all the West’s requirements, refrained from claiming genocide against Serbia, made inconvenient agreements and concessions…but Serbia remains a frontrunner candidate for the EU despite breaking the Ohrid agreement,” she said, adding, “We have seen the West, the EU and the US being silent about it.”

She explained that the “appeasement policy with Russia from the West does not work. We doubt that the appeasement policy will be a wise investment with Serbia because Russia is deeply rooted in the state of Serbia.”

Haradinaj went as far as to suggest that Kosovo should have a strategic review of its participation in the EU dialogue and how the EU treats Kosovo compared to Serbia. “Kosovo should not be held hostage because of EU structural and political issues to achieve lasting peace and mutual recognition,” she said.

The former minister added, “I do not see the point of Kosovo participating in EU-led dialogue anymore, so this could be achieved by US mediation as the US recognises both Kosovo and Serbia as states and it is impartial.”

On the topic of US-EU relations, Kurti agreed there were differences in strategic approach but not in vision and values.

“Sometimes there may be some difference in approach, sometimes there may be some difference in tactical elements, let’s say, of the operations that we conduct, and in terms of values, goals, interests, beliefs, visions, we have absolutely no difference with the United States of America. America and the European Union,” he continued.

In a meeting with French Ambassador Olivier Guerot on Monday, and in a statement, Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s office said, “The Prime Minister informed them about the high professionalism and indisputable integrity of the Kosovo Police in managing the situation without any mistakes or defects.”

The statement continued that” The full establishment of the rule of law in the four municipalities in the north of Kosovo is necessary both for the removal of criminal elements and for an open and fair campaign before free and democratic elections in the future. The need for full, quick and unconditional implementation of the Basic Agreement of February 27 and its Annex was also emphasised.”

(Alice Taylor | Exit.al)