Serbia & Kosovo: What Do Citizens Think?

After unprecedented interest in the US Presidential election, the election of Joe Biden has generated unprecedented anticipation across the Balkans.  As the region (like the United States) struggles with an upsurge in covid-19 infections, ethno-national tensions are also on the rise.  We’ve heard the views of officials, the media and commentators about overall relations, and the prospects for a breakthrough on the oldest dispute in former Yugoslavia: the stand-off over Kosovo.  Now it’s time to find out what the citizens of Serbia and Kosovo think:

• How important is the Kosovo dispute to Serbs?  Do they believe a new conflict is brewing? Should Serbia intervene militarily if Kosovo Serbs are endangered?
• What about Kosovars?  Do they believe that Kosovo and Serbia will have peaceful and normal relations in the near future?
• Are Serbs & Kosovars believers in the ‘land swap’?
• Is there confidence in the EU-led Dialogue? Toward what end?
• What do Serbs and Kosovars think about the EU?  Do they believe membership is a possibility – or have the given up?
• What about opinions on the US, and the recent ‘Washington Agreement’?
• Is Russia the best friend that Serbia has – or perhaps China? Does Russia try to spoil the US and EU political, military, and economic investment in Kosovo?

These are among the critical questions posed in recent, parallel surveys conducted by BCSP and the KCSS, which will be discussed during the event.

The event will be divided into two separate, one-hour panels: First one will focus on the respective findings concerning relations between Serbia and Kosovo and the other will focus on foreign relations and foreign influences.

Register HERE for the event.

Agenda of the event:

Opening remarks:

Edward P. Joseph, Johns Hopkins University, SAIS, Foreign Policy Institute

Igor Bandovic, Director, Belgrade Centre for Security Policy

Mentor Vrajolli, Executive Director, Kosovar Centre for Security Studies

→ Panel 1: ’Kosovo and Serbia: Between Desires and Reality’

Maja Bjelos, Researcher, Belgrade Centre for Security Policy

Plator Avdiu, Researcher, Kosovar Centre for Security Studies

Nikola Burazer, Programme Director, Centre for Contemporary Politics

→ Panel 2: ’Foreign Policy: Who Is Winning Hearts & Minds on the Balkan Playground?’

Ramadani (Dani) Ilazi, Researcher, Kosovar Centre for Security Studies

Vuk Vuksanovic, Researcher, Belgrade Centre for Security Policy

Engjellushe Morina, Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations

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