Janjic: Normalization of Economic Relations between Serbia and Kosovo Can't Solve Everything, but Enables Growth

Dusan Janjic: Political Leaders’ Stop-and-Go Tactical Moves

A document signed by Belgrade and Pristina in Washington can't solve all accumulated problems, but it does meet one of the key requirements for a better life, growth and stability in Serbia and Kosovo, the director of Belgrade's Forum for Ethnic Relations, Dusan Janjic, said on Sept. 21.

"An argument in favor of ranking the Washington agreement so highly is an agreement between the two to run jointly the resources of the Gazivode artificial lake," Janjic said in a comment for Beta, adding that some politicians and members of the general public used the document signed at the White House to debate on the "ultimate" issues of status and territory.

According to Janjic, border issues are always politically relevant, often leading to conflicts, which turned out to be true when ethnic demarcation lines were discussed as part of an internal dialogue on Kosovo in 2017 and 2018.

"The Washington agreement allows the issue to be addressed based on joint management of the Gazivode resources, transforming the lake into an area of cooperation by developing economic and infrastructure projects," Janjic said.