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Nicolas Marquier, Regional Manager for the Western Balkans at the IFC

Financing the Future

IFC, the largest global development institution, has provided almost $1 billion in financing to Serbia’s private sector over the past six years IFC, as a...

Iosif Vangelatos, General Manager, Inos Balkan

Proud of Tripling Trade Volume

Inos Balkan already possessed extensive expertise in the recycling sector, with its collection and processing centres, while it has today transformed itself successfully to...

Aris Karousos, CEO of Eko Serbia

Drivers Know Why They Choose Eko

Two decades ago, when this company launched its operations in Serbia, the desire was for the EKO brand to become synonymous with reliability, quality...

Danilo Đurović, General Manager, Autotechnica Serbia – Hertz

Introducing Flex Drive

As part of the Autohellas Group, which has been the absolute leader of Greece’s automotive sector since 1974, Hertz is more than just a...

Nikos Veropoulos, Owner, Veropoulos

Super Vero, Super Successful

For two decades already, company Veropoulos has been known on our market for its unique offer and high-quality products at promotional prices, but also...

Dragiša Mijačić, Director Of The Institute For Territorial Economic Development (INTER) And Coordinator Of The Working Group Of The NCEU

A Solution Must Be Found At The Negotiating Table

Public support for some new agreement is low, whether that’s in Serbia or Kosovo. However, the alternative to this would prove ruinous for both Serbs and Albanians

Disturbing news about incidents with overtones of ethnicallymotivated violence against members of the Serbian community has long been coming from Kosovo. The number of incidents increased sharply with the arrival of Albin Kurti at the helm of the Government of Kosovo, with his administration making series of unilateral moves that violated the institutional mechanisms for the peaceful integration of Serbs in municipalities in the north of Kosovo that proved difficult to create in the first place. Moreover, the nationalist narratives of political leaders from Priština, but also from Belgrade, that are accompanied by sensationalist and provocative headlines in tabloids and obscure media outlets, only serve to further contribute to inter-ethnic intolerance in mixed communities across Kosovo.

Also challenging the preservation of peace is the construction of fortifications and the fortifying of the existing facilities of the special police forces of Kosovo in the Serb-dominated areas of northern municipalities. The presence of these forces contravenes the provisions of the Brussels Agreement, because their arrival was not approved by the mayors of the northern municipalities. Additionally, we have repeatedly heard public remarks about the arrogant conduct of members of the special forces towards the local population, which caused further unrest among citizens.

The most recent crisis in Kosovo once again showed unequivocally that there is no military or force-based solution to the security and political challenges, but rather a solution must be found at the negotiating table

The situation has been further complicated by the withdrawal from Kosovo’s institutions of Serbs based in the north – primarily from local governments, the police and the judiciary, which created security and institutional issues. Not long after abandoning these institutions, the local population blocked the main roads in the north of Kosovo, which has brought the situation to the brink of conflict. In response to these events, combat readiness has been raised in Serbia, and the atmosphere has been aggravated further by inappropriate media reports and heightened rhetoric from officials in both Belgrade and Priština. It seemed at one point that a conflict between local Serbs and special police forces was inevitable, and that it was only a matter of time until the Serbian army entered Kosovo.

Regardless of the dramatic situation in the north of Kosovo, security is ensured by the presence and activities of KFOR and EULEX, which have played a significant role in easing tensions at critical junctures. It is also important to note the zero tolerance of Western diplomacy towards any form of violence against members of international forces. Under such circumstances, the possibility of major conflicts erupting is reduced to a minimum, though the potential of conflict arising from various forms of provocation between special police forces and the local population have not been fully avoided.

The most recent crisis in Kosovo once again showed unequivocally that there is no military or force-based solution to the security and political challenges, but rather a solution must be found at the negotiating table. We are witnessing a significant degree of involvement among high-level diplomats of the most important countries of the West, who are trying to help officials in Belgrade and Priština find a solution to the historical problem between Serbia and Kosovo. Their efforts continue to be met with resistance against the reaching of agreement, primarily on the part of Albin Kurti, who built his political career on opposing any agreement with Serbia, but also among many political structures in Belgrade. Public support for some new agreement is low, whether that’s in Serbia or Kosovo. However, Western diplomats conveyed a clear message during their recent visits to Priština and Belgrade: that an agreement on the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo must be signed. The alternative would be ruinous for both Serbs and Albanians. Upcoming events will show the degree of maturity and seriousness of the political elites in Belgrade and Priština to respond to the challenges in resolving this issue, which will determine whether the Serbian and Albanian people will move in the direction of a promising future or mutual conflicts.

Comment

Census Results Cause Concern

The Ministry of Education claims to be exerting ongoing efforts to reform education, but census results indicate the need for more work. The “Platform...

By Iva Draškić Vićanović Ph.D., Dean of the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology

Restore Teachers’ Dignity

The proposals presented in our Platform are viable over the short term, require no large and lasting reforms and could lead to major visible...

Comment by Prof. dr Slobodan Zečević

The Mirage of the European Oasis

Serbia officially began EU accession negotiations in January 2014. Over the subsequent decade, 22 of the 35 accession negotiation chapters have been opened and...

Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia

Easier Access to the Western Balkans’ Single Market

The EU aims to involve Western Balkans partners with its Member States on equal terms, fostering a reform partnership that’s oriented towards the future...

CEB Grants €1.3 Billion Loans to Boost Social Sectors in 11 Countries

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has sanctioned loans totaling €1.3 billion for 11 member countries, including Serbia...

Serbia Advances in Renewable Energy with Pupin Wind Park Financing

In a significant stride towards renewable energy adoption, Serbia has finalized the financial arrangements for the Pupin Wind Park,...

Đedović Handanović: Nuclear Energy in Serbia by 2039 at the Earliest

Nuclear energy in Serbia could become a reality by 2039 at the earliest, should work on the project commence...

Belgrade’s Hotel Jugoslavija Sold, Sparks Redevelopment Controversy

Belgrade's iconic Hotel Jugoslavija, located in Serbia's capital, has been sold for approximately €27 million to MV Investment, affiliated...

Bosnia and Herzegovina Kickstarts EU Membership Talks

Bosnia and Herzegovina has initiated accession negotiations with the European Union, a development hailed as a pivotal advancement for...

CEB Grants €1.3 Billion Loans to Boost Social Sectors in 11 Countries

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has sanctioned loans totaling €1.3 billion for 11 member countries, including Serbia...

Belgrade University Partners with CERN on Future Circular Collider Project

The University of Belgrade has officially become part of CERN's largest scientific endeavor, the Future Circular Collider (FCC) project,...

Kushner Eyes Balkan Luxury Developments in Serbia and Albania

Jared Kushner, closely related to former U.S. President Donald Trump as his son-in-law, is turning his attention to the...

European Parliament Passes Groundbreaking AI Law

The European Parliament has adopted the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, aiming to safeguard fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of...

European Parliament Members Endorse Western Balkan Reform and Growth Instrument

Members of the European Parliament's committees on foreign affairs and budget have officially adopted a stance on the Western...

CEB Grants €1.3 Billion Loans to Boost Social Sectors in 11 Countries

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) has sanctioned loans totaling €1.3 billion for 11 member countries, including Serbia...

Belgrade University Partners with CERN on Future Circular Collider Project

The University of Belgrade has officially become part of CERN's largest scientific endeavor, the Future Circular Collider (FCC) project,...

Kushner Eyes Balkan Luxury Developments in Serbia and Albania

Jared Kushner, closely related to former U.S. President Donald Trump as his son-in-law, is turning his attention to the...

European Parliament Passes Groundbreaking AI Law

The European Parliament has adopted the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, aiming to safeguard fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of...

European Parliament Members Endorse Western Balkan Reform and Growth Instrument

Members of the European Parliament's committees on foreign affairs and budget have officially adopted a stance on the Western...
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