5 minutes agoFormer Obama Council: Thaci to remain Pristina chief negotiator
Periskopi(6 years ago)
(6 years ago)Charles Kupchan, a member of the American Nongovernmental Council for Foreign Affairs, said he does not believe Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti's negotiating platform is an indication of President Hashim Thaci's exclusion from negotiations with Serbia. This for Voice of America Kupchan, who also served as adviser to former US President Barack Obama, explained it with [...]
This for Voice of America Kupchan, who also served as adviser to former US President Barack Obama, explained with the attitude that the presidents of Kosovo and Serbia, Hashim Thaci and Aleksandar Vuciq, have led a considerable part of the dialogue so far, as he says, giving it a moment and building a relationship.
“My assumption is that Thaci will remain in the most prominent position in the process. It may be that Hoti will get involved more, but the most influential representative of the Kosovo side, which will continue to lead him, will be President Thaci”, says the US official, who is also professor of international relations at Georgetown University.
Asked when dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia could continue, he said it should happen as soon as possible.
“It will probably be necessary to finish elections in Serbia ... space for starting a dialogue has opened after a turbulent period of ) so I would like to see the talks start by the end of June”,
“Now that taxes have been abolished, there will be expectations for positive signs from Belgrade. This kind of reciprocity is important for restoring goodwill and readiness for co-operation. That's why I think in this case it's important to react at the right time. Kosovo authorities will wait for Vuciqi's signal that he wants to continue talks. And that he is ready for concessions that would show his readiness “.
In his opinion, reaching an agreement by the end of the year is very optimistic.
I can imagine an agreement in which there is no exchange of territories and no change. Or an agreement confirming a kind of exchange in northern Kosovo for some parts of the Presevo Valley and the movement of Serbs and ethnic Albanians. It's just too early to talk now”, he said.
