Episode 286: The Current Political Landscape in Kosovo with Serbeze Haxhiaj

Coordinated and Produced by Elisa Garbil

In this episode we explore the evolving political landscape of Kosovo with Serbeze Haxhiaj. We discuss the questions of ethnic identity, economic opportunity, and minority integration and their continuation to shape Kosovo’s future. Find out more about how media narratives influence public perception, the positive role of civil society, and the challenges facing EU-brokered negotiations. From frozen conflicts and international risks to the growing frustration of Kosovo’s younger generation, this episode sheds light on the hopes and hurdles defining one of Europe’s most complex regions.

Serbeze Haxhiaj has been working as an investigative journalist and news editor in Kosovo and for international media for over 19 years, dealing mainly with the most pressing issues such as corruption, human rights, security issues, religious extremism, terrorism and war crimes.

Haxhiaj is currently an editor at Radio Television of Kosovo and a journalist of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN). She has previously worked for the daily newspapers Rilindja, Zeri, Lajm and Koha ditore, was the correspondent in Pristina of the French Courrier des Balkans, and worked for 5 years as a specialised researcher for the Navanti Group, an American research and analysis institute.

For reporting on war crimes, organised crime, corruption, human rights and violence against women, Haxhiaj has been awarded 12 twelve times by various local and international organisations. She holds master degree in International Law.

The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.

Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe’s business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today’s business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.

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Transcript:

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Serbia is not as a democratic country and the authoritarian, origin regime of, Alexander V. She’s producing tension not only in Cosso, but also in Bos and, in Montenegro as well. 

Elisa Garbil: Welcome back to the International Risk Podcast, where we discuss the latest world news and significant events that impact businesses and organizations worldwide.

Dominic Bowen: Hi, I’m Dominic Bowen and I’m host of the International Risk Podcast, where we unpack the topics that matter today. The political, regional and security situation in Kosovo remains tense and complex, and it’s characterized by ongoing tensions with Serbia and political deadlock domestically. And today we’re joined by Serbeze Haxhiaj. Sir Bey has been working as an investigative journalist and a news editor at In Kosovo and for International Media for over 19 years. She’s been reporting on corruption, on human rights, security, religious extremism, terrorism, and even on war crimes. She’s currently [00:01:00] an editor at Radio Television of Kosovo, and she’s a journalist of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network.

In our conversation today, we really hope to gain an insight on the rise of ethnic conflict within Kosovo and relationships with neighboring countries. Sir Bey, welcome to the International Risk Podcast. 

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Thank you, Dominic. thank you for having me. It’s pleasure, 

Dominic Bowen: Serbeze, and whereabouts are you today? What location are you? 

Serbeze Haxhiaj: I am at my home, waiting to start my worksheet, which is, at radio. So the, editor at Radio Television of Val. as I’m preparing to go to work, a lot of things are happening. We are waiting, if the. Will manage to have a government finally, after almost nine months of political deadlock. 

Dominic Bowen: Yeah, I mean, it’s a very interesting, point. Kosovo continues to face political challenges. The central government where divisions amongst the political parties have delayed forming a new government since the February [00:02:00] legislative elections. Now, although Kosovo, now I understand has an assembly, and has had one since October, there’s still contests over whether it’s actually legitimate and some members including from the Serb minority are actually challenging the formation of even that. Can you help us understand the current political landscape in Kosovo today? 

Serbeze Haxhiaj: two weeks ago, we just finished another local, election process, which was quite important, especially about the northern part of Cova. Since 2022, served mayors together In peace and police and judges and prosecutors, boycotted the AL system and left their position. So after three years, it has started the kind of normalization in, general election, which is supported by Belgrade, to part in the election. And no, it has taken its mandate, also mayors in the north. Participated in an election are and are expected , to take their [00:03:00] position, during November or at in the earlier, December. Also judicial system and prosecutor system are waiting for judges and prosecutors who resigned, to take their position. It’s not clear when exactly, but. Expected to happen within two or three months, despite the fact that they are asking for another political agreement in Brussels. You know that for more than a decade, Cowan, Serbia are with the facilitation of European Union, are going on a dialogue which has produced little, when it comes to normalization of relation between two countries.

As you said, that tension, remain. there are some times that where the, it’s a kind of. Serenity, some, comments and sometimes, tensions rise up. It’s always, when politics is interested in doing it, for their political, tools or using the nationalistic intentions for their political agenda. This is a, produced much [00:04:00] more or product much more from Belgrade, you know, that. Serbia is not as a democratic country and the authoritarian, power of, origin regime of, Alexander V. She’s producing tension not only in Cosso, but also in Bos and, in Montenegro as well. This is the situation which is, characterized this, the political and ethnic landscape in, Balkan. Still, Serbia remains the hub of this, political tensions and ethnic, tensions in the region. 

Dominic Bowen: And you mentioned Serbia, which is really important because the sovereignty of Kosovo remains contested by Serbia. and Serbia refuses to recognize that Kosovo is an independent state and it continues to support Serbian, northern regions of Kosovo to support institutions and even to support militias that are within, Kosovo.

Now the European Union and the United Nations continue to advocate for normalized relations and improved dialogue between Belgrade and [00:05:00] Pristina. But progress has been elusive so far. Can you help us understand the relationships between the Serbian minority communities that are living in Kosovo and the central government within Kosovo?

Serbeze Haxhiaj: since the government was changed in 2021, there were some setbacks when it comes to the, Serbian in community integration. As the, I think K’S government has pushed for a agenda to fight parallel structure of, Serbia in Kosova trying to enlarge the. Sovereignty of co, especially Northern part. This has produced also tension and sometimes, Controversial messages when it comes to integration ofs, sso, and in some respect, it has deterioration. The, position of, servicing kosova in some parts of Kosovo because it’s quite a different relative from the northern part of sso because, There Serbian community position in Kosova has been always difficult because they are always [00:06:00] between two fires, between Kosova, which is trying to integrate and to, exercise. Sovereignty in all parts of the, country, all and in the other side from Serbia, which is all the time trying to use, them as a political, and to, make them not being in integrated in this has produced tensions, fear, and, a kind of sense of, being not belong to any, country. So especially northern part, if you see I am every day in the field and I speaking with different people, especially, service, you see that they sometimes have a kind of sense of, Not be, belongness to any, side of Kosova because Serbia, trying to exercise its power and using them as a tool in the other side, Kosova trying to push them to, to be integrated and to be more loyal citizens.

So this has produced a tension that, , a situation which was not always in their favor. And in the, Main [00:07:00] obligation of Al Constitution to keep, minorities integrated and to respect their lives. 

Dominic Bowen: So I, I wonder amongst the younger generations in, Kosovo, those with no memory of the war that occurred in the, in the late nineties, how important is this ethnic identity today, especially when you compare that to economic opportunities, job opportunities, education opportunities, and even EU integration opportunities? What’s more important to younger generations? 

Serbeze Haxhiaj: it has remained the strongest tool. ethnic identity is still so strong among communities, not only Albanians, but serve, as well. It is, what you mentioned about the, Economy and all the prospects that they always made as a second choice or second, issue. Because, since the bloody breakup of, former Yugoslavia, political elites has. Kept their nationalistic agenda at the top. So this has produced this kind of reality, for my generation, [00:08:00] who has experienced the war is a bit, cons concerning to see that a young generation is becoming more and more nationalistic, because they are more vulnerable to the political, Propaganda in Kosovo and in Serbia as well. I see a young generation who didn’t experience war, but they express more nationalistic sentiment. To each others. That is what, worries me. what is my main concern when it comes to generation? Because none of the country has, been dealing with its past properly.

This has produced this kind of bitter reality because, you know, I’ve, that brutal war in course of WrestleMania atrocities that has happened. Someone doesn’t, or haven’t been dealt with, its post properly, the Naval Serbia. So this has produced this kind of situation or situation and keeping tension all the way, high. And it has produced this kind of reality, which not only Serbia doesn’t recognize [00:09:00] coso, but a young generation is becoming. More and more nationalistic. And I see this as one of the dangerous, aspects of the, normalization of, relations in, bacas. Not only between Sal Serbia, but also Bosnia, Montenegro, and all our over former Yugoslavia countries.

Dominic Bowen: very interesting, Serbeze. Thanks very much for explaining that. And so of course, I wonder where this is originating from and I wonder how domestic political parties in Kosovo are using the issue of Serbia in their campaigns, their political campaigns is nationalistic rhetoric, strategic vote getter, or a voter showing fatigue with this continual confrontation with Serbia.

Serbeze Haxhiaj: It’s all about votes, first of all, because, if you see the political landscape in Kosova, most of the opposition party use it to accuse, ti for their, it’s his national stick agenda. But when they see how they act in court, in [00:10:00] many, many issues, especially, we have this. This month, the issue of, choosing the, assembly speakers and, Sal, based on Sal Constitution, we have to have a one Deputy Froms community and all of them refuse to vote. They, choose someone which, represents one party, that won only one city in the Parliament. So this is the reality. In one side, they accuse one, One each other for the nationalistic and for discrimination of minorities in the other side. They all behave the same.

And what is worrying for me that none of the political parties are ready to say that we are ready to fulfill our obligation. Especially after the agreement of Brussels and Annex, which was signed in North Macedonia, and to push for, forward the dialogue to create the Association of Municipality serve municipality, elections.

So they have created vice circle and, accusing [00:11:00] each other while feeding the same, nationalistic discourse. 

Dominic Bowen: thanks for unpacking that. It is, it’s good to understand the political discourse and of course, the, other area where this discourse can really ferment and grow is on the media and in social media as well. Can you tell us about the role that Serbian and Albanian media outlets play as well as social networks in shaping the perceptions of the threats or mistrust between communities and are there credible alternatives to, to counter misinformation? 

Serbeze Haxhiaj: in fact, I can say that it is a really, very grim situation when it comes to the information or disinformation because in the, last year or in last two, two years, we had, very strong stream of the disinformation in Cosovo media, also in Serbia, which, all the time, produce, not only disinformation, but also hate speech, attempts to dehumanize each other. the other side also to diminish the trust of public to the democratic institutions. [00:12:00] This has produced a kind of very aggressive reality in Kosawa.

And this reality was also shown in its, ugliest phase during the campaign of, general election during, February this year, which has produced many incidents that kind of very, very high, tension, political tension in Kosova. Media without any exemption, are floated by the disinformation coming from Russia, Serbia, China, which, is quite not only. fake news. It is also a kind of campaign to fear, to so fear among people to this, to fade their trust in institution and to, democratic institution, but also to feed the hatred and to dehumanize, the order. and when, that are focused in dehumanization, it make them more vulnerable for targets. And this is the issue in media landscape [00:13:00] currently in Kosova, but also all over the Balkans. And, think that, a authorities, were weak to fight this issue. Not only media themselves, but also the authoring in institutional, level have failed. Create a kind of, counter narrative of, this situation. 

Dominic Bowen: Are there any examples of successful Albanian and Serbian cooperation, maybe at the municipal or civil society or at the community level that maybe could serve as, templates, or examples of where we’ve, managed to get, achieve cooperation.

Serbeze Haxhiaj: in fact, civil society is the brightest. In this kind of cooperation, if you see the most useful, initiatives taken by civil society or which has happened in any country because Serbia or other countries you see that they come from, civil society supported from, international community. This was the, I can say the best, thing or the most, positive side in the relation between, Countries or [00:14:00] in inter ethnic aspect of, trying to, lay down the, burden of the past and to see toward the future a better future , for the region.

Dominic Bowen: Well, that, that’s positive. I’m glad to hear that. I mean, one of the, other sides of risk is where there is lots of risk and there’s lots of threats. There’s often lots of opportunities to, to make grounds. 

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Yeah. Many initiatives related to the missing persons or to, memorialization of the past. Recovering of victims. So all those initiatives were taken mostly from civil society. So there are many examples which, make you more hopeful that things can be changed for better, in the future. But, all the time they came Not from the institution, but from the civil society organization.

So most of them baking to together the voices of, families, of missing persons or other initiatives related to the, peace and reconciliation in 

Dominic Bowen: Oh, thanks for sharing that Serbeze. And I’ll also remind [00:15:00] our listeners that you can now watch the International Risk Podcast on YouTube. So if you prefer to watch your podcasts, search for the International Risk Podcast on YouTube to date, and please remember to subscribe to our channel on YouTube.

That’s really, really important for our success. So bey. After more than a decade of EU brokered negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia, is the public confidence that the Brussels dialogue can actually achieve meaningful outcomes, or is this dialogue lost legitimacy after, nearly 10 years of negotiations?

Serbeze Haxhiaj: I would, it’s, my answer is. A bit in between. I cannot say that it has lost the legitimacy, but it has not gained any strength for more than decade. And many people, in the region, especially in coastal in Serbia, don’t have much faith in this dialogue. They are always expecting a for a greater power solve things in a kind of different way. And this great poor has [00:16:00] been seen, US administration, that recent has happened, a very interesting initiative from UN administration, which is expected to be vote in the Senate. if it, Because us wants to regulate the issue of not supporting the exchanges of territories or changing of borders in Balkans, that will help, to, dismiss the voices who still are eager to say that the main, Issue the, or the final destination of normalization, of, relation between AL and Serbia should be division, the Serbia, to take the northern part and to solve the problems. This initiative can help to, , change with not only the prospect or fear of people about the division or for their, For impact in the region, if it will be a law for and will be passed, in, US legislation, institutions.

But it is [00:17:00] still a kind of, unclear situation what will happen. US administration has not been so much focused in Balkans in, recent years. So, many people don’t believe that EU will be, Enough, or strong enough to, solve the, situation or to bring a kind of final agreement between COSO and Serbia to normalize their relation. So this dialogue, which is going on for more than a decade, is. Producing some, produc agreements, most of the time technical agreements, but not in core. Something that can solve things and not keep the flows and conflict or prolong it. So, despite this, dialogue, COSO and Serbia has trapped in the kind of frozen conflict and we don’t see any prospect that this situation will change soon.

Dominic Bowen: So from a a Kosovo perspective, from where you sit today so busy, what would a realistic and a stable piece actually look like? Does it involve mutual recognition? Is it some sort of a functional coexistence, or does there [00:18:00] need to be some sort of a, pragmatic separation? 

Serbeze Haxhiaj: I would, Koa is just attempting to get serbia’s recognition and, kind of normalization of regulation while in Belgrade, there is no willing to make any step, European Union has put conditions for Koa Serbia to normalize their, relation before they, want to join you. But currently, things seem to be. Quite far from the final destination, which would be two, countries, with their recognizing each other and having the normal, relation after nearly three decades of, war. So, personally, I don’t see any prospect that. It is going to happen soon except if, US administration will be, more strict in its position and having a kind of final or pushing forward for a kind of final agreement with between countries.

Dominic Bowen: Okay. Thanks for explaining that for us. And when you look around the world, obviously, today you’re a journalist and an editor in Kosovo, but you’ve worked with the [00:19:00] international media for nearly 20 years. When you look around the world today, what are the international risks that concern you the most?

Serbeze Haxhiaj: you know that we belong the European continent, and our primary concern is that, conflict in Ukraine and Russia’s, attempts to destabilize all the wall, Europe. This, it is doing, its, very well until now, especially in Balkan, which is, more fragile, region. And it is successfully, keeping it intentions and a kind of frozen country for more than two decades. You know, that the situation in Bosnia, this kind of, grim situation about their, Political landscape and it’s functioning as a state. Also, the Kosova and Serbia relation, you know, that, around 5,000, native troops are in Kosova, to keep this, piece or to maintain this piece.

And as far as. NATO s in Kosova, I am not, saying that we are [00:20:00] going to have a kind of real conflict, but this kind of frozen conflict, those tensions are enough to, keep the country, to keep the people, afraid or hopeless for a better future in general, Russian propaganda is, quite successful to, keep not only the Balkans as a kind of troubled, but also all the other, parts of, Europe, you know, that every one in, European Union is preparing for this increasing of investment in arms, it makes you feel that, You cannot stay in different from what is, going on beyond your border. This is, this has for, especially since 2022, when, Russia started the war in Ukraine.

It has managed to, keep all the region the trouble time not in, feeling comfortable anymore. So this is being felt also in Balkan van. You see where you see that, every [00:21:00] country is being weaponized, buying much more arms drunks or heavy alternately. 

Dominic Bowen: Yeah. It’s something that we all have to be aware of. You spoke about the propaganda. I mean, it’s very common when to hear European Union politicians who are actually parroting. Kremlin propaganda. so that’s, that’s obviously very concerning. But the physical attacks, I mean, we, see them in Norway on critical infrastructure. We see them in Germany, we see them in the uk , we’ve seen them in Sweden. and then of course there’s breaches of European, airspace, by Russian fighter jets in Romania, in Poland. so the concerns about Russian influencer across the continent are, very significant, and yes, we are concerned at the International Risk Podcast. we’ve spoken and we’ve interviewed, several people in, Serbia and, and yourself in, Kofi because it is a region that we are concerned about. We see the international risks as being significant. both those emanating. From the region and influence from outside actors on the influence. So we really appreciate you coming on the podcast today and helping us understand that. 

Serbeze Haxhiaj: You know that in Kosova, a [00:22:00] kind of a sense of frustration, especially towards the EU policy because they think that EU is, being more polite with Serbia because they want to keep it’s, closer, you know that Serbia is be between two EU and the Russia, and it’s the only country in Balkans that didn’t put sanction to Russia and to it has been much more aligned with Russia policy. So when it comes to the domestic, policy or the domestic, issue of re react or a reaction of people toward the situation or toward the developments everywhere in the back end, I see a kind of growing, despair, growing frustration of this kind of calling it as a kind of double standards of EU policy towards koa because many people see that, especially when it comes to North. you put some, sanctions, some measures, restrictive measure to Kosova. since 2001, despite the fact that authorities in Cova has tried to. To fulfill this, obligation to, escalate the [00:23:00] situation, in, the north.

People think that u is playing with double standards and this cannot help, to see the things as they are, especially when it comes also to the protest in Serbia, you know, for the long, time, protests of students of and oppositions are going on, and you has been very reluctant. To take position or to support them or to say anything about them. This was the kind of message that you still, wants to support the power because of the other issue, in geo geopolitical aspect, especially when it comes keeping it closer, because of the Russia. Hmm.

So this, fear and this kind of, disappointment you see, especially among young generation in Kosovo, I don’t see that they are not Vic. I cannot say that they are not victims, also pro propaganda in Kosovo. But in general, it’s a kind of frustration among the generation about this, European policy towards, Serbia at the same time, because at the end of the day, Serbia is not a democratic [00:24:00] country. Serbia is, was all the time the main troublemakers in not only troublemaker, not only in Balkans, but also being aligned with the Russian policy. So in this aspect, you has not, Spoken with the kind of sincere voice when it comes to reality in, Belgrade. 

Dominic Bowen: Well, thanks for explaining that so busy. I really appreciate insight and thank you very much for coming on the International Risk Podcast today. 

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Thank you so much, Dominique. It was a pleasure.

Dominic Bowen: That was a really insightful conversation with Serbeze Haxhiaj. She’s an investigative journalist and news editor in Kosovo and for international media for over 19 years. I really appreciated hearing her thoughts on the rise of ethnic tensions in Kosovo on the relationships with neighboring countries and.

The international risks. Please remember to subscribe to our email newsletter to get our biweekly newsletter in your email inbox. find the subscription button on the International Risk Podcast website. Today’s podcast was produced and coordinated by Elisa Garbil and our [00:25:00] YouTube and social media content was produced and edited by Stephen Penny.

I’m Dominic Bowen, your host. Thanks very much for listening. We’ll speak again in the next couple of days.

Elisa Garbil: Thank you for listening to this episode of the International Risk Podcast. For more episodes and articles, visit the international risk podcast.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, blue Sky, and Instagram for the latest updates, and to ask your questions to our host, Dominic Bowen. See you next time.