CURRENT PROGRAMS

The aim of the program is to analyze possible implications for security in Western Balkans and bilateral relations between certain countries that three possible solutions for Belgrade–Pristina relations could bring: unlimited extension of the status quo; exchange of territories; full normalization of relations reached through the EU-meditated process.

Although the discourse used by both Serbian and Kosovo sides abounds in distinctive pro-European clichés, existing practical policies tend to strive more toward nationalist goals and less toward achieving European goals. Relations between Belgrade and Pristina indicate that problems such as non-implementation of previously signed agreements, politicization of the past, use of inflammatory rhetoric, but also Kosovo taxes on goods from Serbia and B&H continue to burden Serbia-Kosovo relations, along with political stability, economic prosperity and regional security.

The overall objective of this program is to improve and accelerate the EU integration process of Serbia by identifying bilateral disputes with its neighbors, primarily with the former Yugoslav republics, and finding possible solutions to these disputes.

In order to avoid delays in the negotiation process with the EU, it is necessary to overcome the existing as well as prevent any possible future bilateral disputes, which is also a key condition of the political criteria for EU membership. Accordingly, under this program, CPES will seek to indicate to decision-makers the dispute resolution methods in the context of their importance to the EU integration process of Serbia and the citizens’ interest in peace, stability and predictability of life.