On October 19, Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) held a Roundtable Discussion on the topic: “Past, Present and the Future: Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue and the lessons Kosovo leadership needs to recapitulate”, held in Prishtina. The aim of this event was to discuss the process, the necessary political discourse to reach a comprehensive consensus, as well as the principles on how to further proceed. During the event, panelists paid a special emphasis on the past negotiating processes, including Vienna negotiations, as well as the process until the declaration of Independence and lessons learned. The panel also provided their expert views on the idea of territorial exchange and other aspects that should be reflected in the final agreement with Serbia The idea of correcting borders, according to which Kosovo will get new territory but does not provide with anything, lacks logic, said the former President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Sejdiu. In addition, he also did not support the idea of having the process represented the current President. “Entering the final phase of the dialogue with Serbia without a clear constitutional mandate and endorsement by the Assembly of Kosovo, will clearly be a major problem and should be avoided”, he concluded.  In addition, Mr. Krasniqi, Former President of the Assembly during the time of declaration of Independence, stated that there is a lack of consensus in Kosovo for the continuation of the dialogue with Serbia, and what is more, having the President lead this process is being continuously contested. “No political representative and any leader has the right to discuss about territory exchange, demarcation of unification of any part of the land defined by the constitution. Furthermore, with the latest discussions developed between the countries, Kosovo is clearly in an unfavourable position, and as such there is an urgent need to reach a political consensus among position and opposition parties in Kosovo”, he added. Next to address the audience was Mr. Kuçi, Former Deputy Minister of Kosovo during the time of declaration of Independence. As previous panelists, he strongly agreed that without a political unity among all political parties in Kosovo, no agreement can be reached or adopted by the Assembly of Kosovo. “Any idea that would affect the current state structure of Kosovo would be very harmful, and as such, it should not gain the support of any party or institution, while every agreement is mandatory to be approved by the majority at the Assembly, and according the Constitution of Kosovo”, he concluded. This roundtable is organized within the framework of series of debates on the final phase of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, through which Group for Legal and Political Studies aims to focus on discussing some of the key issues that have recently triggered a vast public debate. This said, GLPS tends to expose opportunities and consequences that this phase of the Dialogue might entail for the consolidation of Kosovo’s statehood and its status in the international scene.

Panelists:

Mr. Fatmir Sejdiu – Former President of the Republic of Kosovo during the time of declaration of Independence;

Mr. Jakup Krasniqi – Former President of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo during the time of declaration of Independence;

Mr. Hajredin Kuçi – Former Deputy Prime Minister during the time of declaration of Independence.

Venue: Hotel Swiss Diamond (“Mother Theresa” Square, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo)