TWO Balkan leaders talking in Brussels is not usually news. But next week’s meeting of Tomislav Nikolic and Atifete Jahjaga, the presidents of Serbia and Kosovo respectively, is important. Even if they say little, the symbolism of a new normality between the two countries matters. It is also an untrumpeted success for Cathy Ashton, the European Union’s much-maligned foreign-policy high representative.
Once a majority-Albanian province of Serbia, Kosovo declared independence in 2008. Successive Serbian governments have said they will never accept this. But as both hope to join the EU, they will have to find some accommodation. In March 2011 Lady Ashton’s team brought them together to resolve a series of mundane issues, from how to regulate traffic on the borders to the issuing of car number plates. The talks have led to several deals. In October they moved up a notch. Under Lady Ashton’s guidance, Ivica Dacic, Serbia’s prime minister, has been meeting Hashim Thaci, his Kosovo counterpart. Each is a hate figure in the other’s country. But they too have made progress. Now the two presidents, not wanting to be sidelined, will meet.The biggest bilateral problem is…
