Serbia uses dialogue, non-alignment and Kosovo's Western orientation against recognitions

While Kosovo was told that through dialogue it could achieve its aspirations, so far this process has proven to be detrimental to Kosovo in terms of recognition. Serbia, in its communication with countries in Africa and Asia, but also in some other parts of the world, claims that the Brussels dialogue is proof that the status of Kosovo is not concluded. That if the status were a done deal, the dialogue would not take place. And the fact that the EU does not express a position on the status of Kosovo helps this argument of Serbia.

The recognition of Kosovo by Kenya is the first in many years, after what had come from Israel as a result of what was called the “Washington Agreement”. Meanwhile, Serbia has claimed to have secured “at least 28 withdrawals of recognition of Kosovo”. Withdrawals of recognition of Kosovo are not easy to verify while the recognitions are transparent as they are formal acts. Chances are that Serbia is not telling the truth, because if a country withdraws recognition of Kosovo, then it should notify Kosovo itself and not Serbia. But, it cannot be denied that there have been withdrawals of recognition, there have been votes against Kosovo in international organizations even from countries that have recognized it and Kosovo’s attempt to secure new recognitions has been very unsuccessful.  

Serbia's reaction to Kenya's recognition, calling it a "hostile act" and warning of measures against this state, proves that Serbia's campaign against Kosovo is permanent and has never stopped. Serbia usually uses these arguments in this campaign:

The Brussels Dialogue

Many diplomats from African and Asian countries say that Serbia uses the Brussels dialogue as its main argument against Kosovo's recognition. And it has done so very successfully. While Kosovo was told that it could achieve its aspirations through dialogue, so far this process has proven to be detrimental to Kosovo in terms of recognition. Serbia, in its communication with African and Asian countries, but also with some other parts of the world, says that the Brussels dialogue is proof that Kosovo's status is not finalized. That if the status were a done deal, the dialogue would not take place. And the fact that the EU does not express a position on Kosovo's status helps Serbia's argument. And some diplomats say that "why should their country recognize Kosovo, which is in Europe, since it is not recognized by the EU and is not even a member of the Council of Europe". Both Kosovo and the EU are largely to blame for this. The EU has not clearly stated that the issue of Kosovo's status is closed. And it is not even defending the latest agreement, according to which Serbia must also respect the integrity and sovereignty of Kosovo, let alone attack the countries that recognize Kosovo for allegedly violating Serbia's territorial integrity.

The movement of the unincorporated

Serbia's diplomacy continues to present itself as the successor of Tito's former Yugoslavia, to those countries of the world that appreciate the Non-Aligned Movement. A movement that was jointly founded by the leaders of the former Yugoslavia, India and Egypt, and where there were countries that did not want to be with either the Soviet communist bloc or the Western NATO bloc. Those countries are little familiar with the reality of the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, the crimes committed by the Serbian regime and have nostalgia for the past. Even in its reaction against Kenya, the Serbian Foreign Ministry stated that this also damages "the traditional good relations since the Non-Aligned Movement". Serbia had ensured the withdrawal of recognition and non-recognition of Kosovo from several countries by also removing visas for entry to Serbia. The EU suffered consequences for this, because most of them came as “tourists” to Serbia and then crossed into Croatia, entering the EU, and sought asylum. Serbia rewarded them for opposing Kosovo’s independence.

Kosovo's pro-Western orientation

Although it claims to want to be part of the EU, Serbia is waging a major anti-Western campaign with its diplomacy. In many countries, especially those with a Muslim majority population and which do not have good relations with the West, Serbia presents Kosovo as a “Western project against international law”. Even the opening of the Kosovo Embassy in Jerusalem. According to some diplomats, Serbia has used it to lobby against Kosovo in several Muslim countries. Surprisingly, the US has not reprimanded Serbia for not having an embassy in Jerusalem, even though it was also obliged to do so by the Washington Agreement. From Iran to Sudan, Serbia is said to have mentioned this argument. Serbia has an extraordinary skill in using opposing arguments as needed. While in Muslim-majority countries it uses the argument against Kosovo that Kosovo “is a tool of the West” among the extreme right in Europe, Serbia uses the fact that Kosovo has a Muslim majority and “poses a danger to Europe”. Talk of Kosovo as an "Islamic state in the heart of Europe" is also heard from the mouths of far-right members of the European Parliament, some of whom are big supporters of Serbia.

International law

Serbia continues to call Kosovo’s independence and its recognition a “flagrant violation of international law and Resolution 1244.” It does this despite the fact that the International Court of Justice ruled that Kosovo’s declaration of independence did not violate international law or UN Security Council Resolution 1244. But Serbia continues with its propaganda. Kosovo missed the opportunity to immediately increase its campaign for recognition after this positive ICJ opinion, as the argument that those who do not recognize it are respecting international law was rejected. Instead, all focus was shifted to the Brussels dialogue. And recognition became “irrelevant.” Kosovo has now become a hostage to the dialogue, because it is not helping it, but rather hindering its recognition and membership in international organizations. And the EU remains silent when Serbia mentions “international law” when it campaigns against the recognition of Kosovo and the withdrawal of recognitions.