Partition would herald the demise of Kosovo as a multi-ethnic society, and mark the failure of the EU-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia aimed at mutual recognition within Kosovo’s current frontiers.
Partition is not a new idea. It was first raised in the mid-1990s by writer and politician Dobrica Cosic, the so-called ‘Godfather of Serbian nationalism’, and others at the Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Germany’s ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger discussed partition in the summer of 2007, when UN-tasked negotiators from the US, EU and Russia, known as the ‘Troika’, tried unsuccessfully to broker a deal between Serbia and Kosovo.
Last year, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic argued that “everyone needs a lasting solution of the Serbian-Albanian conflict, which can be reached only through an agreement… where everyone will win something and lose something”.
Dacic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic recently discussed partition with US presidential adviser Jared Kushner. After the meeting, Dacic pronounced: “All cards are on the table.”
Evaluating partition starts with a clear understanding of what Serbia wants.
Dacic proposes that Serbia would give up its claim to all of Kosovo in exchange for lands north of the Ibar River. Serbian enclaves in other parts of Kosovo would have autonomy and exercise executive powers. The Serbian Orthodox monastery of Visoki Decani and other Orthodox monasteries in Kosovowould gain special protected status.
Serbia wants financial compensation for properties it claims in Kosovo, including industrial and energy facilities. Serbia would resettle Serbia refugees currently residing in Serbia proper to lands it gains through partition.
The proposal for partition gives rise to many questions.
Is the ruling Serbian Progressive Party prepared to amend Serbia’s constitution to recognise Kosovo? Will Serbia abandon its efforts to obstruct countries from recognising Kosovo, as well as Kosovo’s membership in multilateral institutions? Is the European Commission prepared to start negotiations with Kosovo over its EU membership?
What actions are foreseen from EU non-recognisers – Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia? Would a deal on partition automatically trigger their recognition of Kosovo?
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