Nord-Kosovo: Die Krise als Chance Steckt im Zankapfel der Keim für eine serbisch-albanische Aussöhnung?
The Crisis in North Kosovo as a Chance for a Reconciliation of Serbia and Albania

Summary/Abstract: The conflicts in Northern Kosovo since July 2011, involving the Serbian population, international missions, and the governments in Prishtina and Belgrade, have been threatening the stability of Kosovo and Serbia. However, this crisis can also be seen as a chance to find a lasting agreement between Kosovo and Serbia – a kind of historical compromise. It is argued that the dominant Western “narrative” of the Kosovo conflict, depicting it primarily as a human rights problem, has prevented work on a viable solution for many years. For Albanians and Serbs the conflict is about territories and, accordingly, a compromise should include territorial elements. The author argues that the many “red lines” of the international community, of Prishtina and of Belgrade are not only reducing chances for a solution, but are arbitrary and contrary to the interests of the two countries. The struggle in North Kosovo, where a 90 percent Serbian majority opposes the integration into the Kosovar state, should be used as a chance to find a territorial compromise. Negotiations under EU auspices could go beyond narrow “technical” issues with the goal of a permanent settlement. This could include mutual agreed changes of borders between Serbia and Kosovo (in North Kosovo and potentially in South Serbia).

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