Kosovo's participation in regional forums remains

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has recently refused to participate in the summit at the Southeast European Co-operation Process Summit (SEECP) organised by Bosnia and Herzegovina, due to the invitation described as incorrect and “dening” on the part of the current president of this country, Milorad Dodik.

For close reasons, President Thaci had refused to participate in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Summit (BERZH) in Sarajevo in May.

Kosovo Assembly MP from the ranks of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Elmi Recica, a member of the parliamentary Commission for Foreign Affairs, speaking of Radio Free Europe, estimates that Kosovo's refusal to accept in regional initiatives and forums does not constitute good news for the country.

According to him, presence in these initiatives would empower the state of Kosovo, as well as presence in decision-making concerning the region. But, however, as he says, the reasons that have led to Kosovo's non-participation in these initiatives and regional forums should be seen.

Kosovo and Serbia have an agreement signed in Brussels, with the European Union's mediation, which Serbia should not prevent Kosovo from regional initiatives. In this regard it is making just the opposite. Serbia or its allies, in this case Bosnia and Herzegovina (Milorad) Dodik, as Bosnia and Herzegovina's representative has made an invitation that does not really coincide with the real situation and the agreement. In view of this, it is difficult for Kosovo to be present at these meetings, regardless of the weight and importance”, Recica said.

Artan Murati from the Kosovo Democratic Institute tells Radio Free Europe that Kosovo's non-participation in regional initiatives, in certain respects, could leave Kosovo behind.

But, according to him, even in cases where Kosovo expresses its will to be part of regional meetings, in some cases faces problems of predominantly political nature, especially with states having problems related to Kosovo citizenship, in particular Serbia and then Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This proves once again how insignificant Brussels' agreements are sometimes, which can be reached on paper, but if there is no proper application of them, then they are worth nothing. The concrete case and regional representation of the Republic of Kosovo, even with the footnote, is often not working out, because Kosovo is simply being overlooked due to the very issue of Kosovo's independence and the obstacle this process has caused to political in some other states”, Murati stressed.

Similar to him is the situation with CEFTA and other international forums, where Kosovo's citizenship remains controversial and the treatment for it is not the same as for other countries.

As he says, since Serbia has now and how long it has not allowed Kosovo goods to pass through that country and there has been no CEFTA response, on the other hand, the Kosovo Government's decision on the 100 per cent tax for goods imported from Serbia has rushed the CEFTA reaction.

Meanwhile, MP Recica expresses the opinion that, at one stage, the Brussels Agreement for Kosovo's presentation at the footnotes and regional initiative has marked priorities, because Kosovo has been invited and has been present in these initiatives and regional forums.

“Well, in time, as well as with Serbia's construction and commitment, has begun to dim Kosovo's presence, but also the opportunity to present and be an active part of decision-making in these regional initiatives. We know that the agreement on representation of Kosovo with placards has been a compromise agreement, and we know exactly that we haven't turned out the way we should. It is being observed and testified every day that it (fusnota) is controversial as the opportunity to present Kosovo as an independent state”, Recica praised.

But, Murati stresses that the impasse of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has influenced the stagnation of other processes, because many states, but also organisations and forums, have linked the fate of reports with Kosovo, with the outcome of dialogue.

“As a whole, it is important for Kosovo to remain committed to dialogue, because this is the only way forward to solve the open problems we have with Serbia. This would then pave the way for even a slightly better approach from states and other organisations, if we reach an acceptable accord with Serbia, for issues that are now open. But, of course, this should not be turned into negotiations on Kosovo's status, because Kosovo is already a state and should not discuss issues of its sovereignty and citizenship, Murati said.

Recently, Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, who has refused to attend the Southeast European Co-operation Process summit in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has written on the social Facebook network, which <x0mimum Kosovo requires for participation in such forums is equal treatment with other participating states”.