Petritsch: EU opportunity to restore the role of leadership of dialogue

Wolfgang Petritsch, the former European Union's special envoy for Kosovo in the 1998-99 period, and the EU's chief negotiator in Kosovo's peaceful talks in Rambouillet and Paris, has said in an interview for Radio Europe Free Radio Service that the American initiative for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia could be considered dead, following recent political developments in Kosovo.

The expert for the Balkans believes that new elections should be held in Kosovo, and by then, official Pristina will lack a powerful representative in the dialogue process. Unlike the American initiative, Petritsch believes the European Union has an unexpected opportunity to return to the lead role of the talks.

He has said he has been sceptical of the US-led dialogue, as he said it would not work without Europeans.

According to him, the way this American diplomacy was performed would not move things forward.

At the time when there is no military conflict in the region, you should use the time and take things from both sides. The only positive side of this approach is that the presidents of both countries -- Pristina and Belgrade -- have shown willingness to resolve this issue peacefully, through political and diplomatic routes. This way of finding a compromise on the negotiating table is something strange for the region, and this in some way represents progress, which has been achieved by the European Union in the past in the dialogue process”, he has said.

He has said it is unusual to establish the indictment at a time like this.

Pestrich says there is the possibility of an internal American conflict between the prosecutor, who has been appointed by the administration, and concerns that Green can reach agreement related to the Special Court.

This could be a possibility. On the other hand, there are assumptions, to me, that this may be a European initiative to prevent Washington's dialogue. So, I honestly don't know, I can guess, what's of little value, because it's published now. This now constitutes a change in Kosovo politics. Now it is clear that Europeans have an unexpected opportunity to return to the governing role in the matter. I'll warn Brussels not to leave without the Americans. It may now be exceptionally difficult to cooperate with Grenelli and Trump, but in the long term, especially after November, Europeans must re-enter Americans in this process”, he said.

He has declared that without the presence of President Thaci, Kosovo's position will be massively weakened.

According to him, there has been a kind of trust between the presidents of Vuciq and Thaci, and now Belgrade should reconsider who will be the chief negotiator on his side.

“Vucciq is known to have more power and influence, but as for Pristina, I don't know. Before holding elections in Kosovo, I fear there will be no reliable partner. Taking into account the past and protocols, of course, that a president should face a president and not a prime minister, but that as far as finding a pragmatic solution, Lajcak should talk to both sides about what thoughts exist in Belgrade, especially in Belgrade, but also in Pristina”, he has said.