Jamie Shea: EU rejects Serbia without resolving Kosovo problem

In an exclusive interview for Kosovapress, Shea says that if Kosovo neighbours all recognise Kosovo and live happily alongside it, then how can they refuse some EU countries that are doing this? According to him, the key to many problems is for the EU not to grant Serbia membership until it solves its problem with Kosovo.

Total interview:

Kosovaress: Mr. Shea, you've had a long career, especially with the Balkans, since you've been spokesman for NATO during the air campaign against the former Yugoslavia. As you know, you have been one of the most important figures and voices of the air campaign and a very popular personality in the Balkans. Now, in 2020, you are no longer active in Western efforts to convince Kosovo and Serbia to reach a final agreement to close the hostile history between them. How do you view the latest developments about these efforts?

Jamie Shea: I welcome the resumption of the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue and also the fact that the United States is once again committing its diplomacy to a high level on an important European security issue. I have long been convinced that European security does not only need American troops and tanks, but also American diplomats need. Now that the Serbian elections are behind us (even though they were far from perfect), I hope President Vucic will feel that he now has the political basis at home to seriously negotiate, to reach a full and sustainable solution with Kosovo. It's time to show some political skills and the talks at the White House will give us an early indication if President Vucic and Prime Minister Hoti are willing to take up this challenge.

Kosovaress: Richard Green, the White House's special envoy for Kosovo-Serbia talks, says the talks will focus on economic issues, while political issues will be left to be resolved by the European Union. Do you believe that sharing roles between the US and the European Union in connection with Kosovo- Serbia is a good idea?

Jamie Shea: There is nothing wrong with starting with economic issues as these have always been the early conflicts in the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue. Now that Kosovo has lifted its tariff restrictions on Serbian imports, there is much space to improve bilateral trade, transport, energy and telecommunications ties. Kosovo should be open to foreign direct transparent investments by Serbian companies and for joint ventures. Of course, vice versa. How much more commercial and economic ties can help promote human contacts, including contacts between government administrations and confidence building.

But, however, nothing is resolved until politics is resolved and economic ties will go so far, unless the fundamental political issue is resolved -- which is the full recognition of an independent Kosovo from Belgrade. This alone will enable Kosovo to develop properly, both in the region and the wider world, and to take its rightful place in international organisations. There is nothing wrong with the US and the EU sharing jobs. Both have different forms of influence on the sides, which makes both of them essential. But the main thing is to take a close look and work together and not send conflicting messages. The last thing we need is “the purchase of the forum”, as diplomats say, where one party believes it can get more concessions on one side towards another. So I hope that the US and the EU will combine their efforts and work towards a comprehensive solution leading to full recognition of Kosovo.

Kosovaress: If political issues really remain in the European Union, while it is known that the EU has no sense of convincing Russia. Do you think things can be complicated in the long term?

Jamie Shea: Diplomacy is never easy. That's why we always need good diplomats. But it is not even impossible, as this reminds us of the solution to the name dispute between Greece and Northern Macedonia. This has enabled northern Macedonia now to join NATO and soon open its membership negotiations in the European Union. If the Belgrade-Pristina talks advance, it will be harder for EU members who have held Kosovo's recognition hostage, and Russia to maintain their positions. If Kosovo neighbours all recognise Kosovo and live happily alongside it, how can other countries refuse to do so? I think the key here is for the EU not to grant Serbia EU membership until it resolves its differences with Kosovo. This is an important influence that the EU should use constructively and wisely. And it should include Belgrade's support for Kosovo's future EU membership. Certainly after Pristina has met all EU standards and conditions.

Kosovaress: The talks were interrupted some time ago, as an idea “andonime” appeared in exchange of territories between Kosovo and Serbia. How did you feel about that idea and believe that this idea will not be discussed?

Jamie Shea: My position on the idea of exchange of land has always been clear. I'm against it. It may seem strikingly appealing, but quick solutions rarely last long. For one thing, it's very difficult to create a clean division on a map that delights every village and every community. Look at the difficulty of determining Bosnia's Dividement Zone during the Dayton Peace Accord negotiations. Second, it is a perfect excuse to postpone the issue of recognition, as for some time we will not know what form of Kosovo we are recognising. And thirdly, I believe that in the future of Kosovo and Serbia as multiethnic European states, and not more as monoethnic states. It is my personal conviction that for a long time relations between Kosovo and Serbia will be more complicated if they are mainly monoethnic states than multiethnic states and societies.

Kosovaress: Do you believe that the parties can reach an agreement with mutual recognition?

Jamie Shea: Everything is possible with leadership and vision. I've never accepted the position that we can't do anything because of opposition to public opinion. It is the task of political leadership to shape public opinion.

Kosovaress: From the time you were deeply involved in resolving the Kosovo issue, let's say that no Western leaders and diplomats of the time are now active in the recent efforts to normalise relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Do you think the current diplomatic potential of the West is capable of providing results?

Jamie Shea: Time passes faster than you ever think possible, and it is true that my generation of Kosovo friends, today, are at the study and university centres instead of staying on the main stage as actors. We just have to hope that the current generation of political leaders is able to carry out the task that we have started, but we cannot finish it -- to create a truly full and free Europe and a Western Balkans, along with Kosovo, involved in transatlantic security structures. But even if we are old today, we Kosovo friends, we are always willing to help. It is up to Kosovo to show us how we can still be useful.