German newspaper “Der Standard”: Serbia forget partition of Kosovo

It must be sealed by the end of the European Commission's mandate next year. The responsibility for this is European Union Foreign Policy Chief (BE), Federica Moghrini, which has recently been seen determined that the agreement between Belgrade and Pristina could be signed next year, writes German prestige “Der Standard”, broadcasts thegraphy.

And as soon as it is expected to take place and high-level talks with the presidents of Serbia and Kosovo, Aleksandar Vuciq and Hashim Thaci to continue with the dialogue.

In the spring, a meeting is scheduled during the summit. In the early stages of preparations for the deal, each side tries to position itself.

The idea of changing borders

The idea of changing the border is a potential issue. The stance on changing borders has been reinforced and by Serbia's pro-Russian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic. He prays for the partition of Kosovo into two parts: in that “serbe” and “Albanian”. This means de-facto that Kosovo's north, where Serbs mostly live, would be separated from Kosovo. Daciq even called it “the only long-term and real solution”. Vuciq also says that all options are open.

In fact, Vuciq and Thaci have “close relations” with each other, and often exchanges and calls. While partitioning Kosovo would clearly be rejected by its Constitution, while many Albanians, when talking about Kosovo's north, see it as a way to get rid of problems. However, this would undermine the entire construction of multiethnic Kosovo.

That's why the German government has intervened.

There was clearly no negotiations beyond the borders. This would bring a risk, and the two states could communicate with each other on a different path”, says a German diplomat for “Der Standard”.

Message from Berlin

Vuciq, meanwhile, is understood to have received the Berlin message. On the Kosovo side, one still has the problem of shaping its goals. However, there are forces that take a look at the Presevo Valley, which borders Serbia and Kosovo, but where many Albanians live. And it's about exchange of territories.

For the EU it is important that it has a final document and not only a temporary agreement and that it is legally binding international. They do not want to bring a second problem, such as Cyprus, to the EU.

That is why Serbia is obliged with this agreement to recognise the neighbouring country's border, and Serbia will not prevent Kosovo from membership in international organisations such as the United Nations or the European Union.

Acceptance, not recognition

Sigmar Gabriel, while he was German Foreign Minister, has recently declared the lines clearly during his visit to Pristina. Serbia must accept the state of Kosovo. If Serbia wants to move towards the European Union, the establishment of rule of law is the first condition, but also the acceptance of Kosovo independence”, he said. Gabriel did not speak of recognition of independence, which was wrongly reported by the media. It's not a formal matter but an indirect recognition.

But even Dachic misunderstood the German minister. Kosovo's “Gabriel can say whatever he wants, nothing will come to”.

For Kosovars, membership in the United Nations is important, which so far has been halted by the vote against Russia and China. It is not clear whether Russia and Serbia will agree with Kosovo's membership in the UN to withdraw the vote against. Within the EU Commission, it is a feeling of optimism for this point.

In recent months it has also been discussed whether Russia and the US should sit at the table at the conclusion of the proposed deal. There are rumours that Serbia will give Moscow a big role and that it is seen as more pro-Russian and not pro-European.

On the other hand, Kosovo's most important supporter is seen as the US. But US Vice President Mike Pence, said an EU official, has already made it clear that the US has no interest in playing a role here. Another official even rules out that the US and Russia may be involved.

Principles of International Law

The division of the state of Kosovo would oppose not only the Kosovo Constitution, but also all Western political efforts in the past 25 years, not to organise Balkan states along ethnic lines.

The breakup of Yugoslavia was guided by the principle of international law “postsidetis”, which means that bilateral international borders on the territory of newly born states must correspond with the already existing administrative borders in the time of independence. In the case of Yugoslavia, these were the republics, in Kosovo, the province's former autonomous borders.

The key “Ethnic Charter” in relation to Kosovo has recently placed “flake” and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. During his visit to Pristina for the anniversary of Independence, he suggested that “Albania and Kosovo can have a joint president” as a sign of national unity and a common national security policy. Rama's statement promotes fears in the region that could create “Greater Albania”.

First of all, it is for Serbia to make such a legally possible agreement. So far, in the Constitution it is protected that Kosovo is part of Serbia. The Serbian Presidency Office should say that a referendum would be necessary if citizens were willing to do so. Meanwhile, the so-called <x0 internal dialogue” is under way in Serbia.

Resurrected as a National Issue

Marko Djuric, director of the Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia, which is responsible for the <x0->dialog inside” in the Serbian government, speaks of hundreds of prominent members involved. Controversial thinking is often involved.

I would say that this format has shown us the complexity of the problem we face. But there have also been some interesting proposals that cannot be heard in public so far. The bottom line is that dialogue for Kosovo and Metohija has risen as a national issue in broader circles, and not as a problem of political elite or ruling parties”, Djuric says, for “Der Standard”, Telegrafi traces.

So far, experts from the area of law, medicine, security, international relations, business and some political parties have participated in the dialogue. Djuric points out that he also wants to hear the stance of the Orthodox Church. When it comes to the referendum, it will not be about recognition of Kosovo.

Surprised by the Catalans

As far as the agreement with Kosovo is concerned, Djuric says he does not have any such ideas, nor can the EU predict what that means.

It is clear that the EU has no clear stance on Kosovo's unilateral independence, as evidenced by the Western Balkans Enlargement Strategy, but despite all concerns in the EU on this issue, there is no doubt that there is a sustainable solution to the stability of this part of Europe”, he said.

Djuric speaks indirectly and for Spain, which has been shaken by separatist Catalans.

The Kosovo issue is increasingly causing problems. Finally, the Spanish Foreign Ministry rejected the EU Enlargement Strategy, along with the other five Balkan states, as a potential EU candidate. Also for the planned summit in Sofia, not only for the 28 EU nations, but also six EU candidates are in charge of coming up with a creative solution, because Spain is opposed to Kosovo's presence.

Serbian representatives increasingly agreed that in recent years they will appear side by side with Kosovo representatives.