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.