Serbian Kosovo policy: Model of a game and mixed strategies

Abstract

Brussels Agreement was signed in 2013, despite the fact that the most prominent ruling parties in Serbia have long been stating they would not recognize Kosovo. Why was this Agreement signed and why it did not happen sooner? This paper uses game-theoretic approach, with respect to mixed strategies, to put forward an explanation to this problem. A game is modeled with Serbia and EU as players. Only when it is but a certainty that EU will play with hardline policy toward Serbia, there is a chance that Serbia would be willing to accept an agreement with Kosovo. If a decision to sign the agreement was a result of strategic situation in a way it is implied by the game, all the parties with similar preferences, if they were in power, would be willing to make a deal with Kosovo Albanians in time the Agreement was signed.