A deal has been brokered between the governments of Kosovo and Serbia that
will allow for both states to begin the EU membership application process. The
deal, on paper, has been in the works since the middle of 2011. But, in
reality, this agreement signifies the culmination of efforts that have been
ongoing for a decade-and-a-half, since the conclusion of the Kosovo War for
independence in March of 1999.
The agreement was not reached easily. EU policy chief Catherine Aston, was
tasked with this seemingly impossible effort over two years ago when hope was
bleak and normalized relations between the two states were a utopian idea. Many
times, negotiations were halted and nearly abolished altogether due to Serbia's
and Kosovo's prime ministers, Ivica Dacic and Hashim Thaci, respectively,
unwillingness to cooperate with one another on such salient issues. However,
today, normalized relations are very possible reality.
With all of that said, there still remains a tremendous amount of work to be
done in order for the deal to be carried out and both states' EU memberships to
be realized. For Serb officials, they will have to do what has for so long been
firmly against their beliefs: recognizing Kosovo as an independent state, even
if their constituents refuse to do the same. Furthermore, the question still
lingers regarding the Serb-majority region of Northern Kosovo. What is to
become of these Serbs who align with and subscribe to the policies and beliefs
of Belgrade? For Kosovars, the deal is an enormous step towards furthering its
status as an independent state and, if they are able to achieve EU membership,
there is little doubt that national pride would be at an all time high in this
young country's life.
http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=54403
will allow for both states to begin the EU membership application process. The
deal, on paper, has been in the works since the middle of 2011. But, in
reality, this agreement signifies the culmination of efforts that have been
ongoing for a decade-and-a-half, since the conclusion of the Kosovo War for
independence in March of 1999.
The agreement was not reached easily. EU policy chief Catherine Aston, was
tasked with this seemingly impossible effort over two years ago when hope was
bleak and normalized relations between the two states were a utopian idea. Many
times, negotiations were halted and nearly abolished altogether due to Serbia's
and Kosovo's prime ministers, Ivica Dacic and Hashim Thaci, respectively,
unwillingness to cooperate with one another on such salient issues. However,
today, normalized relations are very possible reality.
With all of that said, there still remains a tremendous amount of work to be
done in order for the deal to be carried out and both states' EU memberships to
be realized. For Serb officials, they will have to do what has for so long been
firmly against their beliefs: recognizing Kosovo as an independent state, even
if their constituents refuse to do the same. Furthermore, the question still
lingers regarding the Serb-majority region of Northern Kosovo. What is to
become of these Serbs who align with and subscribe to the policies and beliefs
of Belgrade? For Kosovars, the deal is an enormous step towards furthering its
status as an independent state and, if they are able to achieve EU membership,
there is little doubt that national pride would be at an all time high in this
young country's life.
http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=54403