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

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.

Dr Ramadan Ilazi is Head of Research at the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies. He served as Kosovo’s Deputy Minister for European Integration (2015-16). Ramadan holds a PhD from Dublin City University (DCU) and authored The European Union and Everyday Statebuilding; The Case of Kosovo (Routledge, 2024).

Bekim Çollaku is a PhD candidate at Ghent University’s Faculty of Law and Criminology. He served as Chief of Staff to Kosovo’s President (2016-20) and Minister of European Integration (2014-16). Previously, he was Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister (2008-14) and part of the EU-facilitated dialogue team (2011-19).

Fisnik Rexhepi is a former chief political adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo and has over 18 years of experience working in public institutions in Kosovo. Fisnik has been part of the normalization dialogue with Serbia, helping negotiate and implement numerous agreements, such as integrated border management, freedom of movement, etc. Fisnik holds an MA from Sussex University.