THE KOSOVO-SERBIA DIALOGUE AND SHIFTS IN THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN SERBIA: Ready to Resume, but not Prepared for Progress? Policy Note No. 04/2012
Publisher: Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS), Kosovo Date: June 2012 Volume: 9 pages, pdf Description Nikolic's election has undoubtedly thrown a wrench in Kosovo's and the EU's plans for moving forward with the Dialogue. While some optimists believe that Nikolic's ultra-nationalist past and use of Tadic as a scapegoat in EU negotiations, it is unlikely the Dialogue will proceed without turmoil and without increased difficulties for the EU and Kosovar delegations. The EU must move forward with a plan that allows Nikolic to maintain his domestic nationalistic support base at home while still facilitating agreements that can result in tangible gains for Kosovo over energy, telecommunications, and the establishment of a Serbian office in Kosovo and a Kosovar office in Serbia. Nikolic will not concede over status, and the EU must move forward with a plan in which the continued establishment of institutions and separate infrastructure can drive the tangible and institutional separation of Kosovo from Serbia for the practical benefit of citizens living in both states.