After years of limbo it is crucial that a settlement on the final status of Kosovo is reached as soon as possible, as failure to do so would continue to act as a brake on its development. The time has come for transparency: the Kosovar population has the right to clarity regarding its own future but Serbian and EU citizens also deserve to be fully informed about the international community's intentions.
Independence for Kosovo, under initial EU supervision, will stimulate economic and societal reconstruction and stability in the region. The economic situation in Kosovo is now at a virtual standstill. The unresolved status denies Kosovo's access to international financial institutions and EU projects and it wards off foreign investments. With high unemployment and protracted uncertainty, the Kosovars are increasingly impatient for a definitive status.
Through its mid-March report on Kosovo, the European Parliament sends a clear signal that it supports supervised independence for Kosovo and it is willing to contribute to the execution of the proposal by UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari. The report also states that a UN Security Council resolution is a prerequisite for far-reaching EU involvement. However, not all members of the Security Council seem convinced of the urgency of the matter. The UN council decided on a fact-finding mission to Serbia and Kosovo, while some are mentioning continuance of the negotiations.
It is unrealistic, however, to assume that further negotiations will lead to agreement within the Guiding Principles set by the UN Contact Group. Advocates of partition of Kosovo should be reminded that the Contact Group (which includes Russia) explicitly ruled out changing the Kosovo borders. The only result of further talks will be further delay. If a definitive status will not be reached by this summer, both sides will have increasing difficulty keeping calm. Even minor incidents might spark off a crisis, possibly leading to a situation that is catastrophic for the whole region and all parties involved.
The Ahtisaari plan is the best solution for ethnic Serbs in Kosovo as well as in Serbia. The Kosovo Serbs are guaranteed elaborate minority rights with self-governance in their communities and rights to cooperate directly with Belgrade. The Ahtisaari proposal is the only feasible plan to secure the position of the Serbian minorities scattered over the south and east of Kosovo. It also provides for protection of the belongings of the Orthodox Church.
The unwillingness of Serbia to consent is counterproductive. It is time for them to put other issues in the limelight, like good governance and economy, and accept that Kosovo is not Serbia's foremost problem. Rhetoric on Kosovo distracts the people of Serbia from these issues, while they need all the attention they can get. Meanwhile, the Ahtisaari plan grants Belgrade the chance to help Kosovo Serbs in many areas. I think that if the proposal is wholeheartedly implemented, Kosovo and Serbia might not become best friends immediately, but in due time the relations will improve.
The Kosovo provisional government has shown willingness to create a multi-ethnic state. However, every effort should be made to take away distrust and to make Kosovo safe for all its inhabitants and visitors. As soon as the status-issue is resolved, the government needs to address some vital problems. It should take a balanced approach towards economic reconstruction, not just focusing on energy projects, but also supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. Investment in education is essential.
The key issue remains the relation between the Kosovo Albanians and the Serbian and other minorities. If the Kosovo government is able to proof interethnic ties can be peaceful, it will not only improve stability in the region, but also enhance the economic situation.