Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, Arifi: Bislimi should not represent Kosovo, he does not have a regular mandate

Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, Arifi: Bislimi should not represent Kosovo, he does not have a regular mandate

The bilateral meetings of the parties with the EU envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Peter Sorensen, paved the way for a new round of talks between the two countries, consequently preparations for a meeting between them, although there is still no concrete date from the EU side.

After yesterday’s meeting with Acting Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bisilmi, Sorensen also met with Serbia’s chief negotiator, Petar Petkovic.

Former chief negotiator, Avni Arifi, believes that such meetings within the framework of the dialogue cannot be successful because, according to him, Kosovo does not have a legitimate representative in this process.

“He should not represent Kosovo because he does not have a regular mandate, Kosovo does not have a government and he does not have the legitimacy to participate in such meetings… the dialogue is waiting for the new government,” Arifi told RTV21.

The Group for Legal and Political Studies also estimates that the dialogue process cannot progress without a new government in Kosovo. According to researcher Besar Gërgi, Bislimi can attend dialogue meetings but not make decisions.

After yesterday’s meeting with Sorensen, Acting Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi, asked by journalists about the meaning of such meetings at a time of institutional vacuum in Kosovo, acknowledged the difficulties, but said that there are some topics where Kosovo could benefit, if there is constructiveness on the part of Serbia.

“It would not be right if we lost these chances because there are obstacles in Pristina in the constitution of the Assembly,” said Bislimi.

In an effort to revive dialogue between the two countries, EU Political and Security Policy Chief Kaja Kallas last month visited Pristina and Belgrade, calling for improved relations so that both countries have a European future.