Prishtina, 24 February 2022

Following the activities within the framework of the Regional Cooperation and Good Neighborly Relations component, Balkans Group organized the focus group “Youth and Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue”. The focus group was composed of students coming from various study area backgrounds. They all expressed the need and importance for the dialogue to continue, until a final agreement is reached. They also commonly voiced the concern about the Kosovo- Serbia dialogue deadlock, whereas they stated that such situation has negatively impacted both of the countries, especially in terms of their progress and development.  Moreover, they agreed that the only alternative solution remains for the dialogue to continue, by overcoming the status quo and that the immediate need is to lead in the future without freezing one another’s opportunities for economic and social developments.

Few of the participants highlighted that the dialogue is fogged by ambiguity and vague statements, and that both countries have failed to properly inform their citizens about the negotiation process and outcomes.  This has led to an increased distrust from citizens of Kosovo and Serbia towards the effectiveness of the dialogue process as a whole, by further deepening the social division between the two countries.

Youngsters who were part of this focus group will participate in the campaign of the Balkans Group: “Friends of Dialogue”. This campaign aims to promote dialogue between the two countries (Kosovo and Serbia) and their societies.

This project is funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Prishtina.