Foreign Policy: For Serbs the loss of Kosovo cannot be compensated, it is national treason

In this writing, Telegrafi notes that although the two Balkan leaders -- Macedonia's and Greece's -- have been able to overcome disputes and find a compromise, this is not happening with the two leaders of two other states, Kosovo and Serbia.

In this direction, this medium recalls a statement by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tripras, during a visit to northern Macedonia, on April 2nd, in which he says that “We are here to build bridges and break down walls”.

However, according to “Freegn Policy”, such a thing is not happening by Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq, who was quoted as saying that “even if he was thrown into the street, he would not accept Kosovo's independence”.

Over the difficult years, Tsipras negotiated a progress agreement on sensitive national identity issues that saw the northern neighbour change its name in northern Macedonia.

Meanwhile, Serbia and Kosovo remain at odds, unable to find a way for Belgrade to recognise Kosovo.

The key to the Prespa Agreement was not only the courage of leaders in Athens and Skopje, but also their comprehensive approach to the problem. Through wise negotiations, assisted by a skilled American mediator and US diplomacy, Athens and Skopje came with a formula. The result is a way of complete recognition. Tsipras's historic visit to Skopje as Anwar Sadat's visit to Jerusalem was the incarnation of that recognition. As the benefits of the Prespa Agreement increase and relations continue to warm up, strong opposition to the agreement in the two countries will diminish”.

The same perspective is possible in Kosovo. Unfortunately, neither Vuciq nor Kosovo President Hashim Thaci have vision of their Greek and Macedonian counterparts”, writes FP.

Speaking of a possible exchange of territories, Foreign Policy also mentions opposition given by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who, according to the media in question, wisely thwarted the partition plan at a regional summit in Berlin late last month.

However, writes away FP, “as Merkel and any other leaders have not presented an alternative”.

Thus, the fact that France is scheduled to host another high-level discussion in July is highlighted.

“But the basis for continued dialogue on the Kosovo issue remains unclear ) except for a new point: Both Vuciq and Thaci have called for US high-level commitment”.

Kosovo exists in Serbian consciousness, not as an appendix, but as the heart and soul of the Serbian nation.

Therefore, Kosovo's loss cannot be compensated; it is national treason. For this reason, the Serbian Orthodox Church opposes the exchange of land favoured by Vuciq”.

Thus, it is highlighted in FP's writing, such as for Macedonia, the solution to the Kosovo problem lies in recognition of the word.

In this direction, it is assessed in writing, in order to allow Serbia to recognise independent Kosovo within its current borders, the only stabilising result of Kosovo must recognise the legitimacy of the Serbian claim. That means replacing Serbia's “compensation” with the opposite goal: affirming Serbia in Kosovo.

“The new Western strategy will aim to preserve and respect the Serbian permanent link to Kosovo, under full, reciprocal recognition. Instead of giving up the country's north in an effort to consolidate Serbs, the new strategy will make the Serbian presence in Kosovo permanent in a conciliable form with the sovereignty and functionality of the state”.

For example, it says further, Kosovo's internationally imposed constitution currently requires Pristina to protect Serbian Orthodox sites.

And under a new strategy, Pristina would surrender full sovereignty over these countries to the Serbian Orthodox Church.