After the April 2024 roundtable with Albanian political parties, where there was a consensus on the need to start a dialogue with the Kosovo Serb community, the Balkans Group convened a meeting in June 2024 to revive and facilitate dialogue between the Kosovo Albanian and Serb communities. This meeting included 31 participants: the Chiefs of the four main Parliamentary Groups (VV, PDK, LDK, AAK), representatives from Kosovo Serbs in the north (Srpska Demokratija, Srpski Nardoni Pokret), and political activists from the south.
This initiative aimed to address longstanding issues exacerbated by constant tensions in the north and a lack of political dialogue between the representatives of both communities.
Preparations for the meeting involved intensive efforts by the Balkans Group to secure the attendance of major political parties. Direct engagements with Kosovo’s Parliament Speaker and opposition leaders
were instrumental in garnering support for the participation of high-level representatives. Additionally, BPRG coordinated closely with key activists representing Kosovo Serbs in the south and north of Kosovo, to ensure comprehensive representation and effective discussion.
Key topics included Kosovo Serb underrepresentation in local and central institutions, which has disrupted channels/forums for political discussions and is unfeasible in the long term. Police actions/policing in the north must be addressed, economic sanctions against Serbian products and well as removal of the dinar have significantly affected the living standard of the community in the north.
The meeting achieved consensus among parliamentary leaders and Kosovo Serb representatives on the need for community policing reforms, the need for more infrastructure investments in the north, and better information via greater access to media in the Serbian language.
The next steps include organizing thematic meetings to formulate specific recommendations, crucial for fostering stability and inclusivity in Kosovo amidst ongoing challenges.
BPRG’s political dialogue initiative marked an important shift in Kosovo’s political landscape, fostering a culture of civil debate and governance. The local ownership of the process, the reduction of violence, and the restored functionality of institutions highlight the initiative’s success in overcoming a protracted political crisis and advancing Kosovo’s state-building efforts. BPRG remains dedicated to supporting Kosovo’s political evolution and reinforcing its democratic foundations through sustained dialogue and
collaborative governance.
