Hoor: Kosovo-Serbia agreement exists, issue is implementation

Voice of America: Mr. Hooper, Kosovo is under pressure to resume talks with Serbia, though it has not yet formed the new government. Serbia, meanwhile, is expected to hold elections in April next year. How possible is it to resume negotiations under such circumstances?

James Hoor: I had thought it had agreed to resume talks to resume dialogue. If with the question meaning how possible it is to reach an agreement in these talks, given the outcome of the elections in Kosovo and given the upcoming elections to be held in Serbia, I think they are very likely to reach an agreement. I even believe that practically they already have a deal.

Voice of America: But we don't know any details...

James Hoor: I actually think many of the details came out, some of them even inaccurate. And Kosovars never had the chance to vote for this deal, decide on this deal. We don't have to repeat the whole story of what happened. But I think President Thaci had agreed that dialogue would resume unconditionally. And I think it was a very reasonable move to move forward, to have a comprehensive deal, because if they don't move towards a comprehensive agreement, there's a risk that the window of opportunity will be closed and, if that happens, there won't be a comprehensive agreement indefinitely.

Voice of America: Why would it close the window of opportunity?

James Hoor: Because you have to have two partners to work. You have to have partners in Kosovo who are willing to negotiate such an agreement and who understand the promise of this agreement, understand what is reasonable to expect from Serbia and what they cannot get from it. And you must have someone in Serbia who is willing to do so with Kosovo. I believe it is easier to find such a partner in Kosovo than in Serbia. But both sides must agree to this “vale”. Otherwise there's no deal. And it's simple when you look out, when you're not in power, when you're not negotiating, to say “I don't accept the terms”, “should have more favourable conditions.” All those who are not in power always want better conditions. And they always think they can provide more favorable conditions. When taking office, they find that they cannot provide better conditions. And this will be the challenge for Kosovo and I think in particular about Mr. Kurti, because he is seen as someone who has taken a hard line position. He will discover that there is actually a deal and that he will not be able to change these conditions. It is not simply required that Serbia give more. That would be easier. In fact, Serbs can say Kosovars must give more. This always happens in negotiations.

Voice of America: It will remain a mystery whether there was a deal or not, since details were not officially stated. But what do you think will be the role of the United States in the talks now that they have two special envoys -- one for the Balkans and one for the talks, Ambassador Greenell. Will they be able to speed up the process?

James Hoor: I think that both Assistant Secretary of State (Philip) Reeker and (Matthew) Palmer, who is the special envoy for the Balkans, for Serbia-Kosovo talks, are very effective in their work, are very professional, have brokered negotiations in the past. I trust them.

Voice of America: The other person is Ambassador Green.

James Hoor: Ambassador Green adds an element. I'm not sure. It can be very effective. I've never met him, I don't know him, only he's an ambassador to Germany. But having an American ambassador to a European country, which is also given a special role in the issue of Serbia and Kosovo, gives the doubt that there are political interests here, not only foreign policy or national security interests, but also others.

Voice of America: You mean underwear?

James Hoor: Yes, it raises doubts about that. There is no question whether Serbia or Kosovo were involved in the American elections, in trying to sabotage or influence their outcome. In this case it just seems unnecessary. I hope that the reason was because Washington wanted to increase the chances that Germany would be more flexible, more flexible and supportive of an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, because last time they rejected the comprehensive agreement.

Voice of America: In your opinion, what form will there be a compromise, a comprehensive agreement with the ruling Albin Kurti, and the idea of exchange of territory still exist?

James Hoor: There can be no comprehensive agreement without a territorial element. I don't know what Albin Kurt's point of view is. The view of being a leader of a opposition party is something else, I understand his view in that role. What will be his position in the post of prime minister, I don't know and I don't want to speculate. But I think he'll be found in the face of reality and for him it might be a hard reality to accept. The reality is that the deal has already been negotiated. There is a deal. Basically agreed...

Voice of America: In exchange for territories?

James Hoor: Including an exchange of territories but not only exchange of territories but including UN membership. The reality is that this will not change and does not know how Albin Kurti will react to such a reaction as prime minister. I repeat that there can be no comprehensive agreement between Kosovo and Serbia without a territorial element.

Voice of America: Then why isn't the United States putting pressure on this, Mr. Palmer hasn't mentioned it. He said it belongs to the parties...

James Hoor: That's what they're saying now and it's actually solved between the parties, between Mr. Vucic and Mr. Thaci. There may be some small things to resolve, but it's essentially agreed to this deal. People who have no experience in negotiations do not understand anything: critics of the agreement in Kosovo and critics of the agreement in Serbia took the same position: We have to get more. There can be no change in territory. Borders are defined. If you get more, it's the basis on which you get into negotiations, that doesn't lead to an agreement. But you cannot ensure application when it requires more for yourself. And it's the same with Serbia. They must ensure that Kosovo gets enough for this agreement to be accepted in Kosovo.

Voice of America: Yes, but popular sentiment is strong enough against an agreement involving the exchange of territories.

James Hoor: And that's a real problem. And that's probably one of the reasons Americans haven't said much because they're waiting for the implementation phase. What we need to see in Kosovo and I think it is extremely important and it was a big problem in the past, is that the agreement never became fully public and people never had a chance to vote on it. The government didn't really have a chance to protect him. So it is always easy to attack an unknown agreement that you do not know of.