Expert: Vucic's and Kurti's Populism Will Not Affect Dialogue

Dusan Janjic (BETAPHOTO/MEDIJA CENTAR BEOGRAD)

Forum for Ethnic Relations Director Dusan Janjic has said that the June 15 meeting of Belgrade and Pristina delegations will be dominated by issues such as the forming of the Community of Serb Municipalities and Serbian cultural heritage in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as mutual claims, missing persons and the lawsuit against Serbia for alleged genocide.

Janjic has told BETA that both negotiating teams will for the first time be led by two populists, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti, and that none of the non-papers or the tough and exclusive statements made over the last few days will affect the course of the talks.

"All those statements and non-papers are a part of understanding the policy of Vucic and Kurti. Their populism is designed to fortify positions ahead of the negotiations, but is primarily meant for the public at home," said Janjic.

In his words, Serbia has incited the release of three non-papers, from Slovenia to Berlin, while on the other hand Kosovo is exerting pressure for alleged genocide. "Kurti and Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani are raising the subject of genocide in order to ingratiate themselves to the disgruntled KLA fighters who are no longer receiving veteran benefits. Their message is: 'Don't hate us, hate the Serbs,'" Janjic explained.