European Leaders Respond to Serbia-Kosovo Aggression

Serbian officials, including President Aleksandar Vucic, have stood in their non-recognition of Kosovo’s sovereignty, as other European heads of state push for peaceful resolution (Wikimedia Commons).

The 3rd European Political Summit convened in Granada, Spain on October 5, 2023, offering a platform to address the ongoing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia and explore potential global solutions to the escalation of violence.

The historical animosities between Kosovo and Serbia, stemming from Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence in 2008, have defied simple resolution and generated intense disagreement. While numerous countries recognize Kosovo's independence, Serbia remains vehemently opposed, leading to continuous diplomatic negotiations and sporadic instances of violence. Most recently, on September 24, AP News reported that a group of 30 Serb gunmen attacked Kosovo police, resulting in the deaths of one policeman and three gunmen.

The president of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, seized the opportunity to voice her concerns regarding the situation with Serbia. In a statement to reporters prior to the summit, Osmani emphasized, "I am here to seek support from our European allies and partners and to advocate for sanctions against Serbia, discouraging any repetition of such acts against Kosovo and our neighboring countries." This stance has led to growing calls for punitive measures against Serbia.

Albania, echoing the call for repercussions against Serbian actions, expressed its concerns. President Edi Rama addressed reporters during the summit, arguing that “the situation is highly dangerous, and the convergence of criminal activities in areas with a significant Serb minority aligns with a troubling political agenda." Rama encouraged Kosovo to adhere to the Franco-German plan and maintain open dialogue with other European nations, concluding by condemning Serbian actions as "un-European." This follows a history of tension between Albania and Serbia, marked by escalations in conflict between Albanian and Serbian communities during the First Balkan War, World War I, and World War II, as meticulously documented by Zara Steiner in "The Lights That Failed: European International History."

Slovenia, while supporting Kosovo's independence, proposed an alternative approach. Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, in his press remarks at the summit, decried recent events and called for accountability for those responsible. He underscored the importance of democracy, urging all citizens, including Serbs, to participate in early elections and seek a solution for Serbian populations' autonomy. 

German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, addressed the issue, situating it in the context of  broader European relations. Scholz stressed the urgency of de-escalation and diplomatic resolution, noting that, "preventing further escalation in the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo is of utmost importance to us. We are committed to a peaceful solution, and Germany, France, and Italy are actively engaged in this matter."

In contrast to these diplomatic efforts, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic chose to boycott the summit, reiterating Serbia's non-recognition of Kosovo as a separate country. This highlights the absence of formal Serbian control in Kosovo and Serbia's reluctance to engage with Kosovo. The Russian Federation, another notable absence  from the summit, has historically been a strong supporter of Serbia. Commenting on the attack by Serbian gunmen on Kosovo police, Moscow reaffirmed its support for Serbia's claims over Kosovo. 

The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized the policies of Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti, asserting that escalation would lead “the entire Balkan region over a dangerous precipice.” Moscow also accused the Kosovo police of discrediting themselves through punitive actions against the Serbian community, raising concerns about a potential return to ethnic cleansing by Kosovo Albanian extremists.

Despite the divergent viewpoints on ameliorating Kosovo-Serbia tensions, a common thread of seeking resolution and mediation runs through the European states' efforts. However, the various strategies suggested to address these hostilities have yielded no definitive resolution. Nevertheless, the European powers maintain hope that the parties can arrive at a mutual resolution that defuses boiling hostilities.