Pandemic Adds Fresh Uncertainty to Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue

Meanwhile analysts see no actual likelihood of a swift resumption of the stalled dialogue process with Serbia.

"The global lockdown certainly will delay the prospects for a settlement between Kosovo and Serbia this year, which were grim anyway," Gezim Visoka, a Kosovo-born Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at Dublin City University, Ireland, told BIRN.

"We might see preparatory work, or parallel efforts on the format of future talks occurring during the second half of the year - but this will be significantly affected by eventual elections in Serbia, Kosovo (or a government reshuffle) and in the US," Visoka added.

According to him, in these circumstances, resumption of the interrupted dialogue is not matter of days, weeks or possibly even months.

"Towards the end of the year, we might see glimpses of a consensus emerging on the format of future talks, although this might be derailed by brewing developments in Kosovo and wider region," he said.

New envoy, new disputes in Kosovo:

Miroslav Lajcak in Madrid, Spain, 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/JAVIER LIZON / POOL

On April 3, the day Lajcak was designated as the EU envoy to the talks, Prime Minister Kurti sent him a letter of congratulation, wishing him success in his new position.

"The dialogue should be mediated by the European Union and the United States of America," Kurti said.

President Thaci, meanwhile, expressed more reserve over Lajcak's appointment, owing to his national identity.

Lajcak, 57, is a former Foreign Minister of Slovakia, which is one of five EU member states that do not recognise Kosovo's independence, along with Spain, Greece, Romania and Cyprus.

On Sunday, when Lajcak on Twitter announced a telephone...