Disagreement for Dialogue With Serbia

Such objections have resurfaced at a time when dialogue in Brussels is expected to enter, as it has been said, in the final phase, which is expected to conclude with a judicial agreement on the parties.

The Kosovo government, led by Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, has already approved a platform for political dialogue with Serbia, where the governing role is entrusted to the president of state.

But, Vetevendosje Movement MP Rexhep Selimi tells Radio Free Europe that President Thaci's leading role in the Brussels dialogue is unacceptable to the political subject he is entitled to. According to him, the stance of the Vetevendosje Movement is based on the up-to-date experiences that have emerged from Brussels' dialogue, when Thaci led the Kosovo side. As deputy Selimi says, agreements signed by Thaci have been harmful to Kosovo.

The “is not only inappropriate but also harmful because it protects the signed agreements with Serbia, where the same are in Serbia's interest. Whether directly or indirectly, he protects Serbia's interests in the face of Kosovo. Therefore, it is not only inappropriate but it is also harmful, and in this case it is also unacceptable for Vetevendosje Movement, I think of the rest of the opposition, but also for the Kosovo society”, Selimi says.

On the other hand, the Democratic League of Kosovo -- the party as well as the opposition -- has praised the Kosovo Government's platform for political dialogue with Serbia, as without content and which defines nothing.

The chief of the Democratic League of Kosovo Parliamentary Group, Avdullah Hoti, about two weeks ago at a news conference, stressed that President Thaci has failed to ensure the unity of the political spectrum for dialogue.

“On the platform is seen as dialogue is given to the president, who must ensure political unity. Never until now, this president has been able to ensure this unity”, Hoti said.

But recently, he has avoided Radio Free Europe question, if President Thaci is considered by the LDK, as suitable for the role of the dialogue process chairman in Brussels.

However, he has stressed that the LDK's principled stance regarding dialogue is that “consensus should be reached on this important topic”.

“in the absence of such a consensus, no one can get the right to enter such agreements”, Hoti said.

On the other hand, Zenun Pajaziti, deputy of the Kosovo Parliament from the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo, tells Radio Free Europe that political parties should sit down and talk about reaching a consensus regarding dialogue.

“as far as opposition to the president is concerned, this would have to be addressed, if there were any alternative, different formulation or idea. So far we don't. I hope there will be a reflection and I hope things are cleared up in the talks”.

I'm not sure I'm going to do the process any kind of exclusive opposition stance. It's not important at all which person, which party or what personality. It is important that we all be together and that the major institutions responsible take on their responsibilities”, Pajaziti points out.

MP Selimi says the Vetevendosje Movement, in principle, is not against dialogue with Serbia, but against a dialogue producing harmful concessions for Kosovo and in Serbia's favour. According to him, Kosovo's Assembly should be a platform of discussion on the issue.

“does not mean that we are focused on a certain name. So we should not make the next mistake and produce names and be in the interest of names, but we must be in the interest of Kosovo. The Kosovo Assembly would have to have the role not to produce another name, but to create a different position in Kosovo towards Serbia”, Selimi says.

The Democratic League of Kosovo has said it is in favour of dialogue with Serbia, stressing that this dialogue has no alternative.

However, based on the Kosovo Government's platform for dialogue with Serbia, if President Thaci represents Kosovo in the final phase of this dialogue, he is obliged to regularly inform the Kosovo Assembly of talks in Brussels. / REL/