Stumbling block of Kosovo-Serbian conflict!? by Barbora Misakova

Kosovo, partially-recognized also as Republic of Kosovo, is a disputed territory in the Balkans. Severe ethnic tensions between its ethnic Albanian and Serb populations lead to creation of self-declared independent state without agreement of Serbia. Decades of ethnic prejudices, stereotypes and mutual distrust between the communities resulted into a fierce battle of obtaining Kosovo’s independence. These are the well known facts, but how is it going on with this Serbia-Kosovo conflict these days? As it seems, nothing has changed so far. Since 1999, when Serbia lost control over Kosovo when NATO halted the killing of ethnic Albanians, Kosovo has been doing its best to ! achieve its goal. After nine years under an international mandate, the Albanian majority declared independence and Kosovo has been recognized by 69 countries, including the United States of America. But there are still many countries without clear verdict. Today, everyone is looking at the International Court of Justice, that should decide if Kosovo’s independence declaration was legal or not. Serbia, which sees Albanian-dominated Kosovo as the Jerusalem of their Orthodox religion, considers Kosovo’s declaration of independence to be an illegal action. Even though the International Court of Justice’s opinion is only advisory, it keeps everyone on the edge of the chair. Both parties need to attract foreign funds to alleviate poverty and popular frustration, but that is impossible without solving two-year-lasting mutual conflict. As Predrag Simic, a professor at Belgrade Faculty of Political Science said: “Both parties are willing to talk but on differ! ent topics.” And that is the stumbling block!

re! lated st ory (sgx17870): http://www.france24.com/en/20100721-top-un-court-set-rule-ko...

by Barbora Misakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

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