Kosovo i Metohija – između obećane nezavisnosti i faktičke podele
Kosovo and Metohia – between Promised Independence and de facto partition

Summary/Abstract: In this text the question of the partition of Kosovo and Metohia is discussed with a reference to 1990s and to NATO intervention, as well as to the arrival of UN mission and status negotiations. In comparison with polarized approaches advocating that Kosovo will forever be a part of Serbia or that Kosovo is lost forever for Serbia, the idea of the partition of Kosovo is discussed as a "historical compromise". After one year and half of negotiations led by Ahtisaari, and four month with Contact Group Troika an evolution took place from "first standards then status", "standards and status", "discussion on standards", to "discussions on post-status questions". Negotiation team of Serbia made several offers ranging from "more than autonomy, less than independence", to models of Hong Kong and Aland Islands, or "substantial autonomy" for Kosovo with elements of sovereignty with the exception of UN, OSCE and CoE membership. The Albanian side remained determined in its demands for independence. Whatever it is called - supervised or controlled - it is above all a promised independence. Current position is closer to partition. In the text arguments in favour and against partition have been offered. The resolution of the status of Kosovo is directly connected to European context and European perspectives of the Western Balkans. Although accession to the European Union assumes clearly defined borders Cyprus is an example that even a partitioned state may become EU member. The fight for Kosovo is not in vain at least in one aspect. Whatever outcome may take place there are prospects for the completion of further decomposition of Serbia and for finalisation of her statehood.

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