Serbian List Rekiqi: Shame about the EU being silent about non-creating Zeyednica

Serbian List Chairman Goran Rakiq has spoken about the political situation in Kosovo.

The head of the Serbian List, once again head of the northern part of Mitrovica, Goran Rakiq, has said that establishing the tax by the Kosovo government has created even more gap between Kosovars and Serbs.

In an interview for the Serbian media “Novosti.rs”, broadcast news.net, Rakiq has said there is a willingness to co-operate with Kosovo's new government, but, according to him, there are still many obstacles.

Serbian List Position is clear and public. We are willing to work with legally elected Albanian representatives to work together and address the problems facing the Serb people in Kosovo. But mainly it is the responsibility of the newly created government that manages institutions at the central level”, Rakic said.

According to him, it is still early to say what I will do for the Serbs.

In this interview, Rakiq has also been asked about the idea of mandatory military service, as well as war damages, and that according to him, those positions of Albin Kurti have made the Serbian List not part of the coalition, but only part of the government leading the two ministries.

The Serbian List positions in institutions are the result of the plebiscite support of our citizens and are not the result of an agreement with the ruling political parties in Kosovo. We have not allowed the ministries that are led by us to serve the interests of Kosovo. The idea for mandatory military service and compensation for war damages has been among the reasons why we have not become part of the ruling coalition, and we will never support this coalition”, Rakic said, broadcasts the news further.net.

On the other hand, in terms of reaching agreements between Kosovo and Serbia on the road and railway lines, Rakiq has said these agreements would bring good economic opportunities only if the tax is lifted.

The signing of the agreements has been intended to connect as many people of Kosovo and Serbia as possible, and that is a very good thing. We are extremely grateful to President Aleksandar Vuciq and Kosovo Office Director Marko Djuric. Highways and railway lines will be bars that will create great opportunities for economic development, but after the removal of tax”, Rakiq said.

But as for continuing dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Rakiq has said this could happen only after the tax is lifted, the news continues.net.

He has also criticised the European Union, which according to him, is silent about failing to create the Association of Serb majority municipalities.

“Once Kosovo lifts the tariffs, our negotiating team is ready for dialogue. President Vuciq has repeated it several times too. It has been a long time since the tax was imposed and its consequences are not only economic, but have expanded the gap between the Serbian and Albanian people. When it comes to dialogue, it is a shame that the EU, as a guarantee, will be silent about the fact that Kosovo has not yet met its only obligation, the formation of the Association of Serb majority municipalities”, Rakiq stressed.

Rakiq has also indicated that in the absence of an unresolved status for Serbs living in Kosovo they are being forced to accept support from Serbia.

According to him, Serbia has supported Kosovo Serbs with 150m euros and since their arrival in power, 100 new jobs have been opened in the northern part of Mitrovica.

Rakiq has indicated that the opening of new jobs and the financial support Serbia gives Serbs in Kosovo is the way they support Serbs and convince them to stay in Kosovo.