Negotiating Peace in Kosovo: Local Perspective on European Union Mediation Efforts

By: Ramadan Ilazi and Bekim Çollaku and Fisnik Rexhepi

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Synopsis: This book offers an account of the European Union (EU) facilitated dialogue for normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, examining how the EU&’s approaches, local politics, and civil society shaped the process. Rich with sources, it is essential reading for peace negotiations and EU&’s work in the Western Balkans. Using first-hand experience, the book explains why the talks scored significant wins but have yet to achieve full normalization of relations between the two countries. Chapter 1 outlines the objectives of the normalization dialogue. Chapter 2 examines why the normalization dialogue became necessary even after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Kosovo&’s independence was legal. Chapter 3 dissects the dialogue's so-called &‘technical&’ phase, while Chapter 4 examines the shift to the political phase. Chapter 5 showcases civil society's corrective power and limits, while the conclusion deduces lessons for future EU mediation approaches and conflict resolution.