Kosovo

Despite initial steps by new coalition govt toward restarting Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, broader efforts stalled following indictment of President Thaçi for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Parliament 3 June confirmed new govt led by former Deputy PM Avdullah Hoti; 61 voted in favour out of 86 MPs present in 120-seat chamber, while MPs from largest party Vetëvendosje (LVV) did not attend session in protest; EU and U.S. welcomed govt’s formation. Govt same day announced readiness to restart EU-led dialogue with Serbia on normalising relations that stalled in 2018, without “allowing the border to be changed or territories to be exchanged”; 6 June lifted new trade restrictions against Serbia introduced by outgoing PM Kurti late-May. U.S. Special Envoy Richard Grenell 15 June announced Kosovo-Serbia meeting 27 June at White House to resume talks, with focus on Kosovo pausing its applications to international organisations and Serbia committing to “temporarily pause the derecognition campaign”.

PM Hoti 17 June invited opposition parties LVV and Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) to discuss upcoming dialogue with Serbia; both parties however rejected invitation on grounds that govt lacked legitimacy.

Special Prosecutor of The Hague Special Chamber on alleged crimes by Kosovo Liberation Army 24 June publicised indictment (filed under seal in April) of President Thaçi on war crimes and crimes against humanity charges relating to 1998-1999 conflict in Kosovo; Thaçi’s office same day cancelled upcoming U.S. trip for talks with Serbia and Thaçi 29 June denied charges, stating he will resign immediately as president if indictment is confirmed. Hoti 27 June reaffirmed govt was “committed to the process” of talks and new date would be set.