As a journalist who has been following events in Kosovo for years, I often wonder – is peace in this climate possible and what steps would lead to it. I was further encouraged to think by the recent statement of the historian Uroš D. Miketić, who says that Albanians and Serbs never lived in real peace, but, even in periods of “apparent peace”, they lived next to each other, but not with each other. Although, as a chronicler of recent events – conflicts, divisions, injustices – the road to reconciliation often seems insurmountable to me, I still believe in the idea of ​​reconciliation as a common consensus. This is primarily reflected in the responsibility that we as a society as a whole are obliged to accept. This certainly includes politicians, institutions, media, civil society, but also individuals.

In Kosovo, where ethnic and political conflicts have led to deep divisions and lasting consequences, diametrically opposed narratives and actions, which have been building mistrust between communities for years, undoubtedly prevail. Due to all the events in the north of Kosovo in recent years, inter-ethnic relations have collapsed to the point where they seem lower than during the war conflicts. Despite this, I firmly believe that as a society we are longing for peace, which cannot come without reconciliation. But how can we build peace if we don’t have responsibility?

Responsibility of Politicians

In the current socio-political circumstances, it has become “normal” for politicians on both sides to use nationalistic and populist rhetoric on a daily basis, which, by all accounts, is the main stumbling block on the road to reconciliation. This is supported by the 2023 Forum of Civil Society and Expert Groups in Tirana, where concerns were expressed regarding the political discourse in the Western Balkans and its impact on inter-ethnic relations, which relates to Kosovo and Serbia. It was then recommended that a modification of the political language could contribute to reducing tensions.

As long as politicians are guided by their own interests, reconciliation remains an elusive goal. Politicians are obliged to recognize their own responsibility and take concrete steps towards building peace. One of them is the negotiations in Brussels and the fulfillment of the agreed, without arbitrary and unilateral interpretation or ignoring the accepted obligations, which is inevitably accompanied by mutual accusations.

Role of the Media

In such an atmosphere, a key role is played by the media, which often, without critical review, convey everything that politicians say. Unfortunately, the sensationalist and nationalist reporting, which is present on a daily basis, has also led to a deep polarization of the local public. A survey by the Balkan Research Network (BIRN) and Internews Kosovo conducted from September 2022 to February 2023 showed that media coverage often follows ethnic lines. Research shows that in Serbia, tabloids regularly publish headlines that encourage antagonism towards Albanians, while in Kosovo, the media often report in a way that marginalizes the Serbian community.

However, there are also positive examples, such as the majority of local media in Kosovo reporting in the Serbian language, which have not been denied so far, at least not when it comes to crisis situations. The research by NGO Aktiv “Trend analysis 2023: Attitudes of the Serbian community in Kosovo” confirms that these media enjoy a high level of trust.

Another example is Kosovo 2.0 – a platform that gives space to all communities to raise topics such as human rights through open dialogue and content creation, which is certainly one of the ways that leads to building trust.

Contribution of Civil Society

Civil society also plays a vital role in the reconciliation process. One of the positive examples is the multi-ethnic non-governmental organization Community Building Mitrovica (CBM), whose projects are aimed at encouraging dialogue, reducing ethnic tensions and promoting coexistence. For example the “Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation” project initiated a multi-ethnic market of mixed goods near the main bridge on the Ibar. This initiative regularly brought together numerous citizens and exhibitors from different ethnic communities, and that was at a time when tensions in the north of Kosovo were at their peak.

The Barabar Center in Pristina, founded by the non-governmental organizations Integra from Pristina and CASA from North Mitrovica, is another example of successful cooperation. In Barabar, communities come together through theatrical performances, exhibitions, literary and various other events. As a journalist, I testify that through the Barabar Center, young people from the Serbian community were given the opportunity to visit Pristina for the first time, where some of them made friends with Albanians, and vice versa.

Role of the International Community

The international community must act constructively and impartially, because this is the essence of its mission. When political decisions threaten coexistence, the international community cannot only be critical, but proactive and effective.

The EULEX mission in Kosovo has often been the target of criticism due to the perception that it favors one side or the other in the conflict, which seriously undermines trust in its work. On the other hand, the initiative of the European Union through IPA funds shows that progress is not only possible but also achievable when priorities are given to local needs, through socio-economic projects.

However, international actors must stop the practice of ignoring the real needs of local communities. Instead of imposing external solutions, their policy should be based on direct listening to the local population and civil society, because this is the only way they can achieve sustainable results.

Role of Individuals

Finally, each individual has a responsibility to contribute to reconciliation. Through openness, breaking down prejudices and stereotypes, it is possible to build understanding and togetherness. Small steps, such as personal meetings and acquaintances, can influence wider social processes. Two passionate artists, Nora Prekazi from South Mitrovica and Miljana Dunđerin who lives in North Mitrovica, are a real example of that. Despite the challenges they face, the tensions, the fear that the community will judge them, Miljana and Nora have found a way to cooperate. They have collaborated on various projects since they met, such as organizing poetry meetings, and in 2020 they started the “Zana” festival to promote women in art, which is still ongoing.

Conclusion

The road to reconciliation is difficult, but it is inevitable if we strive for peace in Kosovo. Every actor in society – politicians, media, civil society and individuals – must act concretely, decisively, but in a responsible manner. Responsibility is also on “our table”, not only Brussels’.