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A Win-Win Solution To The Kosovo Problem

Filip Ljubicic - 2/12/2008

On February 3rd Serbia elected Boris Tadic as President, showing that she wants to have closer ties with the EU. However with Kosovo about to proclaim independence, this position may no longer be viable. Therefore a solution for Kosovo is needed urgently if the people of Serbia are to fulfil their expressed preference and not fall back into isolation.

Such a solution is not just for the people of Serbia, but also for the Albanians and the whole Balkan Peninsula. Currently if Kosovo declares independence only the Albanians will benefit at the expense of the suffering Serbs. What is needed is an enduring solution that gives satisfaction to both sides.

Serbia made mistakes in the past, for which it had to suffer isolation, sanctions and NATO bombing. Taking Kosovo away without her agreement will have a negative effect in the long run not only on Serbia but on the entire region. Therefore there needs to be an agreement in which Serbia feels that it has also gained something from Kosovo’s separation.

The following is a fair and practical way out.

1. There should be partition of Kosovo. The northern, heavily Serb populated part to remain as part of Serbia. The southern, heavily Albanian populated part to join with Albania immediately.

2. Serbia would need to be compensated financially for the loss of a large part of its territory. Those countries who have encouraged and supported Kosovo’s separation must be prepared to help towards compensating Serbia To quantify such compensation by say a sum of €50bn will go a long way to pacify the Serbs and induce them to accept the partition. This amount could take the form of a Marshall Plan to be spent on the economic development of Serbia e.g. Infrastructure, Hospitals, Schools etc. A portion of it can be set aside and paid to those Serb families affected by the partition.

3. A referendum would need to be held in Serbia (including Kosovo). To ensure consent. The line of partition and the amount of compensation will have to be clearly defined in the terms of referendum to help the new President to recommend them to his people.

4. Many in Serbia believe that a referendum on these lines will be approved. If passed the partition will be legitimized and its acceptance by Belgrade will remove Russian objection.

5. The EU should take the initiative in this direction in order to create the peaceful coexistence of Serbia with its neighbors and remove the main cause of conflict in Europe’s back yard.