SPEAKERS

Veton Surroi, Independent political analyst and writer

Ioannis Armakolas, Assistant Professor at the University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki

Augustin Palokaj, Senior Correspondent, Jutarnji List; Correspondent, Koha Ditore

Vjosa Musliu, assistant professor. Department of Political Science, Free University of Brussels

Srdjan Cvijić, Senior Policy Analyst, Open Society European Policy Institute

Corina Stratulat, Senior Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre (Moderator)

October’s snap elections shook up politics in Kosovo*, with the former governing parties losing out and the anti-establishment Vetevendosje coming out in front. As Vetevendosje looks set to form a governing coalition with the center-right former opposition party Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Prishtina’s approach to the Brussels-mediated dialogue with Serbia may shift to a tougher position.
Meanwhile, the EU political scene is also changing, with the new Commission delayed in taking office and member states withholding support for enlargement. Nevertheless, the Spanish nominee for the post of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has announced that his first visit will be to Prishtina, suggesting that the issue will be high on his list of priorities The US has also recently appointed a Special Representative for the Western Balkans and a Special Envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. This continued engagement indicates that Kosovo* remains at the top of the international agenda.
How will these political developments affect thinking in Brussels and in Prishtina and, for that matter, in Belgrade? What are the prospects for the future of the Belgrade-Prishtina dialogue? What concrete steps must the EU take to promote reform and maintain its credibility and prominence in the region, especially after the non-decision regarding accession talks for Albania and North Macedonia? This Policy Dialogue will address these and other questions.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ opinion.