Agron Bajrami’s reappointment and expectations for the Kosovo–Serbia dialogue

Agron Bajrami has once again been appointed to lead Kosovo’s team for technical negotiations with Serbia, while the dialogue remains suspended and no date has been set for its possible resumption. Experts on the process hold differing views: some call for a change in the European Union’s approach, Kosovo’s implementation of its previous commitments, and the use of Bajrami’s diplomatic experience in relations with Brussels.

Dritëro Arifi, a professor of European integration, says talks with Serbia should not continue unless the European Union changes the way it handles the process.

He stresses that Kosovo must implement the agreements it has accepted, while also reviewing its approach and communicating directly with the EU. According to Arifi, most technical issues have been settled, so priority should be given to implementing the agreements.

Arifi calls for clarity before dialogue with Serbia resumes

“I see no problem with Agron Bajrami’s appointment for the technical dialogue. But politically, Mr. Kurti either does not understand the situation or does not want to understand it. To me, dialogue with Serbia no longer makes sense and should not take place until certain issues have been clarified. The European Union cannot apply double standards, and we must put an end to this situation. Dialogue with the EU, yes; we have no reason to talk to Serbia as long as Milošević’s minister presents himself as a man of peace. I have said this and continue to believe it: lasting peace cannot be built with war criminals. This has been demonstrated over the centuries and through the years. We must also be clear, firm, open and honest with the European Union. We will implement all the agreements we have committed to, but with the EU. We must change our approach and the way we communicate, particularly following the Special Court’s decision. I believe the technical issues have been settled; at least, what we have done in the north has been completed. What remains now is to implement the agreement,” Arifi said.

Former diplomat Albert Prenkaj, on the other hand, sees Bajrami’s appointment as an opportunity to maintain communication with Brussels. He points to Bajrami’s diplomatic experience and the connections he established while serving as ambassador.

Prenkaj does not view this decision as a downgrading of Kosovo’s level of representation. In his view, the ambassador represents state institutions and can hold talks with both European officials and the Serbian side.

Prenkaj: Bajrami’s appointment could keep communication with Brussels open

“Repeated institutional and constitutional crises in Kosovo, together with the electoral process currently taking place in Serbia, have brought the negotiations to a dead end. So we can describe the dialogue with Serbia as suspended. Nevertheless, in every exchange between Kosovo and the international community, particularly with officials in Brussels, with foreign policy and security chief Kaja Kallas and with European Commission President von der Leyen, Kosovo is asked to fulfill the international responsibilities it undertook in 2023 during the negotiations in Brussels and Ohrid. We are expected to return to negotiations. This is the context in which I see the reappointment of our ambassador in Brussels, Mr. Bajrami. He has diplomatic experience there and has built his own network; the government believes the ambassador can lead the ongoing negotiations on the issues to be discussed,” Prenkaj said.

In February 2023, Kosovo and Serbia agreed in Brussels on an agreement setting out the path toward normalizing relations. A month later, in Ohrid, the parties agreed on the implementation annex.

The process suffered a setback in September 2023, when a group of armed Serbs led by Milan Radoičić carried out the terrorist attack in Banjska, in Zvečan.

Kosovo has accused Serbia of involvement in the attack, while officials in Belgrade have rejected the allegations. Three of the 45 people charged over the incident are in the custody of Kosovo’s judicial authorities. The others, including Radoičić, remain fugitives and are believed to be at liberty in Serbia.

On Saturday, Radoičić appeared at an election rally for the electoral list led by former Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.