Macedonia Deal Heightens Pressure on Serbia, Kosovo - Experts

Diplomatic and Balkan experts say the announced solution to the Macedonia-Greece "name" dispute will add to the pressure on the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to finally solve their own dispute over the former Serbian province's status and future.

"There is already strong pressure on Serbia, especially from Berlin, to strike a final agreement that would in effect recognize Kosovo, and Chancellor [Angela] Merkel as well as the EU would like to see such an agreement before the end of the year," Toby Vogel told BIRN.

"The Macedonia name deal won't change this basic dynamic but could perhaps encourage Presidents [of Serbia, Aleksandar] Vucic and [of Kosovo, Hashim] Thaci by showing them what courageous leadership can achieve," the co-founder and senior associate of the Democratization Policy Council said.

Vogel added that for that reason, it is "critical that when EU leaders meet for the June European Council, they give the green light for membership talks to start with both Macedonia and Albania, rewarding the two countries for constructive diplomacy and tough reforms at home".

Macedonia's new government led by Zoran Zaev reached last week a historic deal with Greece aimed at ending the long dispute over Macedonia's name - although it faces stiff opposition from nationalist critics in both countries.

Under the agreement, the Republic of Macedonia is to change its name to "Republic of North Macedonia" in exchange for swift accession to NATO and the start of EU accession talks.

Macedonia's President has denounced the deal, which also has to go to a referendum in the country.

But, if the issue is finally resolved, the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo will be more exposed as one of the biggest remaining disputes...