Kosovo celebrates 15 years of independence, still disputed

Since February 17, 2008, Kosovo is no longer a region in southern Serbia, but a country in its own right. An independence supported by most Western countries. However, 15 years later, this independence is still not recognized by Serbia, which opposes the country’s membership of international organizations, including the United Nations. The subject also divides within the European Union (EU) itself: five member countries, such as Spain or Greece, do not recognize Kosovo.

In recent months, this state as large as Île-de-France has again been shaken by strong community tensions, especially in the north, where the Serbs are the majority. These tensions come as the Americans and Europeans press the two governments for a normalization agreement.

Kosovo, a country made up of more than 90% Albanians

“Serbia will never recognize Kosovo which is still part of its territory, says Stoyan, who lives in the area. The very fact that Kosovo has many monasteries and churches dating back to the Middle Ages means that it has belonged to Serbia since that time.”

To settle this very sensitive issue, a “Franco-German plan” could be put in place. Paris and Berlin want to prevent the conflict from spreading to the Balkans. Their representatives are pushing Pristina and Belgrade to accept a project that would see Serbia accept the independence of Kosovo without having to recognize it officially.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s first condition is the creation of an association of municipalities with a Serbian majority. “The purpose of this association is not the rights of the 100,000 Serbs in Kosovo, but the rights of Serbia within Kosovo itself, which is absolutely dangerous, criticizes Kosovar political scientist Eraldin Fazliu. We have seen in the past how Serbia used Kosovo Serbs.”

>> Kosovo postpones entry into force of new rules on Serbian border

While the Serbian government has still not followed the European sanctions against its Russian ally, the West wants to avoid any risk of destabilization of the Balkans, by obtaining a rapid agreement on Kosovo.