Brnabyq: Serbia won't recognise Kosovo at the end of dialogue

I'd like a deal as soon as possible. But I don't think we're actually close to the” agreement, Brnabic told the Financial Times, in an interview.

The Serbian prime minister thinks that the issues of historical political and territorial culture are extremely sensitive that are discussed between the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo, and progress is far from ensuring US and EU support for dialogue.

“I often say we are stuck in a schizophrenic position, which is between the 21st century policy and 19th-century policy”, Brnatic said, referring to the occasional outbreak of ethnic tensions and violence this year in Kosovo.

She said Kosovo leaders are mistaken if they assume dialogue with Belgrade will result in the official recognition of Kosovo's independence.

When they think that,” Yes, Serbia will recognise our independence “, well, of course it won't happen”, Brnatic said. “They have to move from their comfortable position to meet us halfway where we are waiting for them. Let us compromise whatever compromise it may bring. ”

The Serbian prime minister, writes the Financial Times, held talks in Minsk with Hashim Thaci, Kosovo president who is conducting key negotiations with Aleksandar Vucic, president of Serbia.

She said she had told Hashim Thaci: “I am asking if she wants to, a sincere desire, from some of the politicians in Pristina to actually continue the dialogue and reach a” agreement.

If states were to enter into a land swap, Serb-run northern Kosovo parts could be included under Serbia's authority, and Kosovo could win three mainly ethnic Albanian areas of the Presevo Valley in Serbia.

Brnabic confirmed that he disagrees that such an agreement would open a <x0-cykt of Pandora” in the Balkans, whose modern history has been hit with ethnic and territorial disputes.

Pandora's “was opened exactly 10 years ago, when the countries recognised Kosovo's independence. What we're trying to do is close Pandora's box. You cannot say that 10 years ago we were willing to change borders, but today we cannot talk about changing borders, “she said.

An exchange of territory, even if agreed, would not be enough for a peace agreement, she warned. The “is a part of a possible final solution. But the final agreement, if reached, will have to be much more comprehensive. It should include human rights, minority rights, economic co-operation, long-term co-operation between Serbs and Albanians, learning language and cultural heritage, churches and monasteries of each other “.

Considering Serbia's EU membership talks, Brnabiq said: “I would like that if we were able to join by 2025, but this is a very ambitious goal. I think it's much more important that we're ready to join, instead of joining if we're not fully ready. If you are not eligible for the EU, this is a situation of loss. The EU becomes weaker and your country becomes weaker. ”