le Journal du Dimancheı chooses Thaci and Vuchchiqi for a story originally from the Great War

But among about 50 state leaders to attend closely the ceremonies for marking the centennial of the end of World War I, Francisco Clemesineau, this time, for two of them there is a particular history that brings it into contact with the origin of the conflict of the century ago. So, it's about the Balkans.

We've all learned in school that what caused World War I is the killing of the heir to the Austrian-Hungarian Empire throne, Franz Ferdinand, by a Serb nationalist from Bosnia, Gavrilo Princip. We know the result, empires were destroyed, made up of Russia, Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire or the Ottoman Empire. After World War II, the creation of Yugoslavia enabled the reunification of these small Balkan states, which are Serbia, Bosnia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia. But the fall of the Berlin Wall and Communism broke out the mystery. Everyone wanted their independence. This was a lifetime for all but Kosovo, which was not a full republic but a province of Serbia”, says weekly editor-in-chief “Le Journal du Dimanche”

Francisco Clemenzaau also gives why Kosovo fought for independence against Serbia in 1998.

Even in Kosovo we know how things turned out, the Serbian depression was terrible. NATO forces hit Belgrade later, the United Nations and Bernard Kounchner administered Kosovo until it became independent in 2008. But today is 2018, and Kosovo, with a majority Muslim, is not yet recognised. It is not recognised by Serbia, of course, and therefore by its sponsors such as Russia, but also Greece on behalf of Slavic and Orthodox solidarity. Without recognised independence, without peace, but here we have two states, led by two former hardline nationalists, Aleksandar Vuciq from the Serb side, and Hashim Thaci from the Kosovo side, who want to be guided by the European Union, but who Brussels tells them: make peace first and we will look after”, continues his confession to Thaci and Vucinqi.

It shows even though leaders of the two countries cannot make peace.

And that's because of nationalism. In both states, the majority of the population wants to join Europe, a source of peace and prosperity. It's ridiculous to say that at this time of Europhobic populism, but where you talk about Europe with Hashim Thaci, whom I met yesterday to the weekly “You can see the stars in his eyes. Along with Vucinqi, they want Europe but without forcing their people to sacrifice their very strong national identity that has led them to live in a confrontation for centuries. For the first time since 1945, the two countries in Europe are ready to correct their borders for peace. But if Europe gives up to help them, then one thing is certain, Russia on the one hand, and Turkey on the other will spread its claws”, says Francisco Clemesineau in his chosen confession to d y leaders who, according to him, are making efforts to strengthen peace in the Balkans.

Videolink: http://www.europe1.f/emistions/l-editio-international/ces-deux-chefs-detat-qui-ont-un-lyen-pecial-vec-lotigine-de-grade-guere-3797384