German Ambassador: Very soon, Kosovo- Serbia

Legally binding Kosovo- Serbia can be done very soon. The position and opposition must unite for a common platform in dialogue with Serbia, because it does not present a common alternative put Kosovo in a dead end.

So it was said at the table organised by the Kosovo Foundation for Open Society, held today in the 2015 Forum cycle sequence titled “Kosovo-Serbia negotiations: A rational approach?

German Ambassador to Kosovo Christian Heldt estimates that Kosovo-Serbia dialogue was discret, however, soon warns of reaching a final agreement.

He has opted for positive access to both sides in order to resolve the obstacles that are currently there.

Although he says he understands that he cannot move forward when he is known to have something to clarify, Heldt points out that the time has come for something eventually to be done for the citizens of both countries, since, according to him, they want to see that their lives are progressing.

“We do not know the content of the conversations. Many things have already been discussed about the substance of large chapters, such as the economy and many of the countries, or the things Veton Surroi mentioned. I don't know, this is a process that's been dealt with very discrete so far. I just can't say whether substance or content is sufficiently discussed that is legally binding. But remember that the legally binding comprehensive agreement can be made very soon, but that depends on much of what has been discussed so far”, he said.

On the other hand, the German ambassador has invited attention and caution to extend the demands of the Kosovar and Serb sides, as he said, this is their responsibility, as in this process internationals more have the role of moderator.

We should have some ownership of communities living in this country, owned by this country, and also have some security to enter bilateral discussions about the overall mirror. As far as I'm concerned, I think it can only be done when you know exactly what your strategic interests are and then you can discuss where you can put them... This is a process where there may be a moderator, but responsibility falls on the shoulders of both sides involved in the first place because there are limits as far as the international side could be involved in this” process, Heldt said.

Publicist Veton Surroi said the absence of a joint platform from office and opposition to dialogue with Serbia has led Kosovo from the start to the deadlock.

He has invited political unity, saying the position and opposition need to build a common position.

The non-representation of a clear platform, even it does not need to be public but built into a confidence process by the position and opposition. It means, the moment of walking without a map puts Kosovo from the start to the dead end because you don't know where it's going. You've got the guts of what you're up to. Options for building a platform are not impossible. The issue of political unity being built within the position, within the opposition, to move forward”, Surroi said.

Surroi said further that the outcome of the conflict with Serbia is what Kosovo most needs today. And for that, he said the nature of relations between Kosovo and Serbia should be modified, with the goods and bads they have.

According to him, the fundamental motive that should push Kosovo towards a new agreement with Serbia is the outcome of the conflict with it and not accession to NATO, the EU and the UN, though it did not overlook the importance of integration.

Kosovo's “Delegation has entered Brussels without legislation, without authorisation from the Assembly of Kosovo, has entered a process that has not had principles, defined limits, structured the negotiating process. So, we've entered a process in which the mediator has determined what the agenda will be, there's been a kind of open bargain for everyone to determine the agenda. The result we have today is the product of a lack of preparation, definition, restructuring, but, above all, the absence of Kosovo's demand that this process be organised in line with the needs of Kosovo”, he said.

Life Krasniqi from KDI said there is a unique position of the Kosovo side and that there is a vast polarisation of them and leaders who lead institutions.

It is true that there is no unique position about what Kosovo is looking for in these talks... By closing the discussion on a specific topic such as the topic of Association or the correction of borders, then we are also setting forth the failure of the” agreement, Krasniqi stressed.

In this case, publicist Veton Surroi has also presented his publication “Kanti, the cow of Makiatos and a new paradigm in Kosovo-Serbia-Serbia negotiations”.