Pristina avoids dialog with Belgrade

For a long time Pristina has been doing everything to postpone dialog with Belgrade. Decision by Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci to make the Government fall and call early elections has been largely motivated by such tactic towards Serbia and international community.

Thaci's tactic for causing parliamentary crisis at the moment when the dialog with Belgrade was to begin still turned out to be more effective than request by Serbia that the dialog begins as soon as possible.

‘Chances for dialog to begin before elections called by Pristina for December 12 are small but I am still an optimist. Thaci and politicians in Pristina are not aware at all how important it is that the dialog begins as soon as possible. That is not important, however, since the USA and EU shall force them to dialog', Oliver Ivanovic, Serbian State secretary for Kosovo.

A reputable lawyer from Pristina well acquainted with political situation Azem Vlasi confirms that Kosovo politicians do not want dialog at this moment. ‘That dialog is not a priority in Pristina's agenda and that is why the situation regarding fall of the Government and calling of early elections shall postpone talks between Belgrade and Pristina', Vlasi says. He confirms that pressure by international community concerns the dialog only but not any deadline when it should start.

The ruling coalition and opposition in Serbian Parliament agreed yesterday that the forthcoming early elections in Kosovo called for December 12 are aimed to prolong negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina. That is why the international community is expected to secure the negotiations begin as soon as possible.

'Stratfor' analyst for Europe Marko Papic says that there is pressure being made on Albanian side that the dialog begins as soon as possible and until February or March next year at the latest.

‘As ‘Stratford' reported earlier, a pressure is definitely being made on Albanian side that the dialog begins as soon as possible. Both the USA and EU have sent a clear message to Pristina that, when this topic is concerned, there shall be no further unconditional support to Pristina any more', Papic told.