THE HYPNOTIST. Aleksandar Vucic, John Bolton and the return of the past
THE HYPNOTIST. Aleksandar Vucic, John Bolton and the return of the past

Author(s): Author Not Specified
Subject(s): International relations/trade, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Inter-Ethnic Relations
Published by: ESI – European Stability Initiative
Keywords: Serbian Democracy; Serbian transformnation; Aleksandar Vucic; Greater Serbia; territory exchange;
Summary/Abstract: It is remarkable how little change there has been in the key personnel in Serbian politics since the fall of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000. It is not surprising, therefore, that the old nationalist idea of redrawing borders on the basis of ethnicity has continued to be so prominent. What is surprising is the recent success that Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic has had in repackaging this old idea as progressive, non-conventional, out-of-the-box thinking. Why not, the siren song goes (again), adjust some borders along ethnic lines, as long as the process is negotiated peacefully and leads to reconciliation? || In addition, to remain credible in Pristina, European countries should take two long overdue steps: to lift the visa requirement for Kosovo citizens, as the European Commission and the European Parliament have recommended; and to support Kosovo in applying and joining the Council of Europe, with protection of minorities in Kosovo a key requirement of post-accession monitoring. || The EU also needs to send a strong signal to countries and leaders who reach out to their neighbours and minorities and resolve difficult issues in a true spirit of reconciliation. The strongest signal would be to begin accession talks with North Macedonia without delay in summer 2019.

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