Step by Step

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti, Brussels, May 2 2023 (BETAPHOTO/European Council/Frederic Sierakowski)

Ahead of the first meeting of the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo after the agreement in Ohrid, EU officials were voicing unfounded optimism while Serbia’s top officials were highly skeptical, saying that they expected absolutely nothing from the continued dialogue. The outcome of the meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti, held in Brussels on May 2, shows that the Serbian officials were more realistic, although some progress has been made. That small progress shows that reaching an agreement on the key issue, the forming of the Community/Association of Serb-majority Municipalities, will require much more time and many more rounds of talks.