International Scientific Conference Squaring the Circle : the New Global Dynamics (2026) [pp. 145-151]
AUTHOR(S) / AUTOR(I): Roozbeh (Rudy) B. Baker
, Rich Mifsud
Download Full Pdf 
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46793/7067.3731.145B
ABSTRACT / SAŽETAK:
The question of Kosovo and Metohija3 and its status has presented a persistent diplomatic, political, and security issue for at least the past two and a half decades. It should be noted clearly at the outset that this paper is not concerned with the legal status of Kosovo and Metohija and does not assess the legality of its declaration of independence, the Republic of Serbia’s (hereinafter “Serbia”) constitutional position, or the competing legal claims advanced by the parties. The analysis is confined to Serbia’s negotiation strategy in the EU-facilitated dialogue, particularly the interaction between formal diplomatic engagement and informal Serbian-aligned political and social structures in northern Kosovo and Metohija. This paper argues that Serbia’s approach to the “Kosovo question”4 can be usefully understood as a “two-track” strategy, in which official negotiations conducted under European Union auspices operate alongside informal political and social structures linked to Serbian-aligned actors in the north. Track One consists of highly visible, rule-bound negotiations framed in the language of normalization, technical cooperation, and regional stability. Track Two, by contrast, involves less formalized arrangements and networks of local influence, including the role of Srpska Lista5, which have shaped political authority and security dynamics in the Serb-majority municipalities of northern Kosovo and Metohija. Taken together, this dual approach has proved effective for a number of years, enabling Serbia to sustain international engagement while retaining a degree of influence on the ground. This paper concludes, however, that evolving regional conditions, increased external attention, Priština’s more assertive approach under the Kurti government, and growing practical constraints associated with informal arrangements, particularly the difficulty of coordinating and controlling local actors, have narrowed the scope and effectiveness of this strategy, raising questions about its continued viability.