A staggering 82% of Serbs living in northern Kosovo hold the Kosovan government and its authorities responsible for their ongoing struggles, a recent survey shows. The findings spotlight the deep divisions between Albanians and Serbs in the region.
The survey, titled “Images in Our Heads and Hearts: Albanians and Serbs – Towards Each Other”, delves into the tense relations between the two communities. It focuses on Albanians in southern Serbia and Serbs in northern Kosovo, both living in areas dominated by the opposite ethnic group.
Regional experts, community representatives, and civil society activists gathered to discuss the results of the study. Dushan Radakovic, director of the Serbian organisation ACDC in Kosovo, highlighted the emotional connection Serbs in Kosovo have with Serbia, which they view as an integral part of their identity.
“Serbs in northern Kosovo predominantly see Kosovan authorities as the main source of their problems. Nearly 82% believe the expanded measures from Pristina are too drastic, putting their community at risk,” Radakovic said.
Radakovic also pointed out that biased media coverage exacerbates tensions, creating further divides between Albanians and Serbs.
However, Agon Islami, a journalist from the Presevo Valley, had a different perspective. He argued that while Serbs in northern Kosovo blame Pristina, Albanians living in Serbia pin their hardships on the Serbian government and its ally, Russia.
“About 50% of Albanians in Presevo, Medvegja, and Bujanovac believe the root of hatred and conflict lies with Serbia’s government and Russia. This mirrors what Serbs in Kosovo say about Pristina and the international community,” Islami said.
Islami further shed light on the challenges faced by Albanians in southern Serbia, such as the “passivisation of addresses”, a policy many see as an attempt to alter the region’s demographics. He also revealed that 17 generations of students from the Presevo Valley who graduated in Kosovo are unable to find employment in Serbia due to Serbia’s refusal to recognise Kosovan diplomas.
“While the world knows all about the struggles of Serbs in northern Kosovo, few are aware of the plight of Albanians in Serbia,” Islami emphasised.
The survey has reignited discussions about the long-standing ethnic tensions, with many calling for balanced media coverage and constructive dialogue between the two governments.
