Independence of Kosovo

The war of words between Serbia and Kosovo is reaching fever pitch, but far from heralding outright conflict, it is more likely part of a battle for favour on the diplomatic stage.

President of the Serbian List, Goran Raki, said that he and four mayors from the north of Kosovo and Metohija met with the ambassadors of the Quint countries and that at that meeting they heard from them that their countries support the independence of Kosovo and Metohija and Pristina's moves.

Prime Minister of Kosovo stated that the tensions in the north of Kosovo will continue if the western democracies allow Serbia to continue with "its old dreams, which are becoming a nightmare for Serbia's neighbors, but also for the Serbian people themselves".

In September 2021, barricades were erected in northern Kosovo after the government in Pristina announced various measures related to the seemingly banal topic of vehicle license plates issued by Serbia.

"During his recent visit to Belgrade (June 3), Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias reiterated that Greece's position remains unchanged and that it does not intend to recognize Kosovo's independence," said the ambassador, answering in a written interview for Tanjug the question of whether Pristina's expectations to Greece will be the first of the five remaining EU members to recognize Koso

However, it does not have the possibility to "force" Kosovo to do it, it follows from the answer of the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, to the parliamentary question "what will be done regarding Kosovo's refusal to form the CSMs".

Experts and opposition politicians have questioned the standard of Kosovo's latest draft national security strategy.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti will meet in Brussels on August 18, it was confirmed to BIRN, following the recent escalation of tensions in northern Kosovo.

The deadline "means they [Kosovo authorities] are planning a general attack on northern Kosovo by October 1 at the latest," he told reporters a day later.

The report expresses support for Serbia's future membership in the EU, but with the request that, in addition to the rule of law and the normalization of relations with Pristina, compliance with sanctions against Russia will be a key element that will determine Serbia's overall progress on the path to accession.